Sitharaman urges defence industries to inflate export capacity

Highlighting an increase in the demand for quality defence equipments and products all over the world, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday appealed to country's defence industries to ramp up their defence export potential.

Sitharaman, who addressed the gathering at the launch of the Uttar Pradesh defence corridor projects in Aligarh, assured industries of full government support for the same.

"There is a global demand for world-class defence equipment and products. I urge all of you to increase your defence export potential. We are willing to work with you to reach this goal," she said.

Sitharaman further said the government would purchase their innovative products for ten years.

"Startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) can show their innovative products to us. After required tests are completed, we are ready to buy those products. I assure you to give you orders for minimum 10 years," she noted.

The Defence Minister said that Vice Chiefs of Army, Air Force, and Navy were present on the occasion so that they interact with the investors and decide on the procurement part. She also said that all aspects of the defence production should be taken care of in order to create the defence manufacturing corridor.

"All aspects of defence production should be taken care of in order to create the defence manufacturing corridor. I congratulate Ajay Kumar, the Secretary for Defence Production on maintaining the momentum," she said.

On the occasion, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath opined that an atmosphere of security for investment has been created in Uttar Pradesh.

"It (UP) is now the best place for investment in the country. Aligarh is famous for hardware manufacturing," he added.

Earlier this year, the government in its Union Budget had announced that they would set up two defence corridors in the country.

While one has been inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh, another will be set up in Tamil Nadu.