5-Feb-2021: President of India addresses the valedictory function of the Aero India-21
Today, India is not just a market, but is also a land of immense opportunities for the whole world, including in the defence sector, said the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. He was addressing the valedictory function of the Aero India-21 in Bengaluru today (February 5, 2021). The President said that Aero India 2021 is a living proof of India's ever-growing strength in the defence and aerospace sectors at the global level. The event has exhibited that the global confidence in India’s capabilities is growing steadily.
The President said that the reforms initiated in India in the last six years offer unprecedented opportunities to investors and private companies in the defence and aerospace sectors. We have taken a number of policy initiatives aimed at placing India among the top nations in the defence sector with twin objectives of self-reliance and export promotion.
The President said that the government is focused on promoting the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ to encourage manufacturers to set up units in India. The defence sector has also been witnessing steady liberalisation. Industrial licensing requirements have been eliminated for a number of items. The processes for industrial licence and export authorisations have been simplified and made on-line. To facilitate establishment of defence industries and give impetus to the MSMEs, two defence corridors have been established in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. All these efforts are expected to unleash a huge potential of job creation in the country while taking India onto the path of self-reliance in defence production.
Referring to the Conclave of Defence Ministers of Indian Ocean Region, on the theme of ‘Enhanced Peace, Security, and Co-operation in the Indian Ocean’ which was organised on the margins of Aero India 2021, the President said that India has always been an ardent advocate of universal peace and development. IOR is an important region because of its rich natural resources and strategic location. We have floated the idea of ‘SAGAR’ which stands for ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’, to promote co-operation in the Indian Ocean Region. It is important that IOR nations focus on fostering political, economic, cultural and defence co-operation.
The President said that India has always been ready to share our expertise and resources with all IOR nations for planning and coordination in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. After the Covid-19 outbreak, under Operation SAGAR 1 we reached out to our neighbours and assisted them with medical teams, medicines as well as diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies. In keeping with India’s stated commitment to use its vaccine production and delivery capacity to help the entire humanity fight the Covid-19 pandemic, supplies under grant assistance to our friendly foreign nations have already begun, he stated.
2-Feb-2021: Curtain Raiser Aero India 2021
Aero India 2021 three-day mega event to showcase the prowess of Aviation Industry will begin from tomorrow at Bengaluru. The Curtain Raiser Press Conference chaired by Raksha Mantri for Asia’s premier air show was held on 2nd February. Aero India-2021 will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and will commence with a flying display at Yelahanka Air Force Station. Shri Rajnath Singh was felicitated by Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on the occasion.
Inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the flying display will feature formations showcasing India’s cutting edge technology and capabilities in the aerospace sector. Aero India 2021 is being organized this year amidst the challenging circumstances created by the COVID-19 situation. Shri Rajnath Singh commended the organization of the biennial event this year amidst such challenges. He hailed Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and said that the Ministry of Defence was relentlessly giving impetus to domestic manufacturing of defence equipment, not only to fulfil the demands of our armed forces, but also to make India a net exporter of defence equipment and platforms to friendly foreign countries. He appreciated the conducive ecosystem and climate for investors created in Karnataka through the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. He said that the award of a huge contract of Rs. 48,000 crores to HAL was because of this spirit.
Shri Rajnath Singh also spoke about the distinguishing takeaways of Aero India 2021. Technological base and presence of industry leaders associated with Aviation cement the bonds between Bengaluru and Aero India 2021. He said that set against the backdrop of Bengaluru, the event would offer opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between Indian and global industry leaders, academicians, visionaries, centre and state administrations. It would also bring together the defence ministers of various countries, service chiefs, policymakers, foreign OEMs, industry, entrepreneurs and academia to showcase, connect and collaborate as well as highlight policy reforms driving India’s new defence manufacturing revolution. He further said that Aero India would spark a renewed sense of pride in India’s defence manufacturing and take defence cooperation to the next level.
Speaking on the COVID-19 pandemic, he added that countries were forced to impose restrictions to protect human lives. Shri Rajnath Singh said that while organizing Aero India 2021 all COVID-19 related advisories issued by the Union Home and Health ministries and state government regarding the use of masks, social distancing, RT PCR tests would be strictly followed. He added that due to these restrictions this edition of Aero India would be a purely business event and there would be no public days. He said that limited access to the aero shows would be provided to the public based on online bookings. Shri Rajnath Singh said that a dedicated virtual platform has been created to facilitate public participation. He said that Aero India 2021 promises to be the world’s first hybrid aero and defence exhibition with a concurrent exhibition integrating seminars, Business to business events, product displays etc.
Shri Rajnath Singh said that since 2014, the government has brought in policy reforms to push indigenous defence manufacturing with an enthusiastic response from the global business community. He further said that the world has now started to recognize India as a trusted defence investment destination. He added that hosting the event in Bengaluru, the IT capital of India, will consolidate not only the Karnataka’s position as a favoured investment destination, but also establish the state as the gateway for defence and economic engagement. Raksha Mantri said that Aero India will give further momentum to the Prime Minister’s clarion call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, aimed at promoting indigenization.
Shri Rajnath Singh enumerated the highlights of Aero India 2021 including inauguration of India pavilion – based on the theme of Rotary wings, Conclave of Defence Ministers of Indian Ocean Region, Conclave of Chiefs of Air Staff of various countries, India – Russia Military Industrial Conference, Startup Manthan etc. He said, more than 200 MoU partnership agreements are expected to be signed at the Bandhan event on 5th February. He added that the IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave would reinforce the relevance of the region and its continued importance for stakeholders from the perspective of trade, security and freedom of navigation. He said the event would provide an opportunity to share perspectives on common values and interests in the region. Chiefs of Air staff conclave will bring senior air force officers from across the world on a single platform enhancing cooperation and understanding of common threats and challenges.
Raksha Mantri said over 540 exhibitors would showcase their defence manufacturing prowess. The event would help forge paths for engagement with global defence industry for India. He added that the decision to hold Aero India during this time was not easy due to the twin challenges of COVID-19 and the security challenge thrust on India on the Northern border. He highlighted that India’s calibrated response and the bravery of the soldiers on the border led to sterilization of the situation on the Northern border and the nation showed its resolve to defend its sovereignty and integrity. He said that the resolve of the government led by the Prime Minister, the state government and other stakeholders made it possible to organize the event. He hailed Aero India 2021 as an inspiring event and said that this year would witness the new initiatives of new India which have begun to change reality.
At the end of his address Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh praised all stakeholders who put in efforts to make the event a success during these times. He expressed his gratitude towards the officials of the department of defence production, the armed forces and the organizing committee for their tireless efforts.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said that it was a moment of pride for the people of Karnataka in general and for the people of Bengaluru in particular that the city was hosting Aero India for yet another year. He added that it was also a moment of pride for the state that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had obtained the business deal for Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas”. The Chief Minister applauded the efforts of centre and state administration and other stakeholders in organizing the event amidst the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Shri R Madhavan also spoke about efforts to manufacture Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas”. Shri Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary (Personnel & Coordination) gave a detailed presentation on Aero India 2021 events and arrangements. Shri Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary (Department of Defence Production) presented a vote of thanks.
This is the 25th year of Aero India and the 13th edition of the event. The Hon’ble President of India has graciously accepted to attend the valedictory function for Aero India 2021 on 5th February. Industry associations also felicitated Shri Rajnath Singh at the curtain raiser event for Aero India 2021. Dr. Ashwathnarayan C.N., Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Jagdish Shettar, Hon’ble Industry Minister of Karnataka, Shri Raj Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, DRDO, Kapil Mohan, Chief Secretary, Karnataka and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, Government of Karnataka, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and several industry associations were also present at the event.
7-Oct-2020: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chairs Ambassadors’ Round-table Virtual Conference on Aero India 2021
Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence organised the Ambassadors’ Round Table Virtual conference on Aero India 2021, chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh here today. The major reach-out effort of the Ministry was well attended by 200+ invitees comprising Ambassadors, Heads of Missions and Defence Attaches of over 75 countries indicating the growing stature of the 13th mega biennial event, to be held in Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru from February 3-7, 2021. The senior representatives of foreign missions at New Delhi were briefed about the Aero India-21well in advance with a view to encourage the presence of their leaders and senior most decision makers at the event in February 2021 wherein India’s Aerospace and Defence manufacturing capabilities will be displayed under one umbrella.
Addressing the conference, Raksha Mantri said, Aero India-21aligns with India’s vision to be among the top five countries of the world in defence and aerospace industries, with active participation of public and private sector fulfilling the objective of Self-Reliance as well as requirements of other friendly countries. Shri Rajnath Singh stated that “Aatmanirbhar Bharat was the centerpiece of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and towards this, Ministry of Defence has announced numerous government reforms such as increase in FDI to 74% through automatic route, the Defence Acquisition Procedure -2020, revised Offset guidelines to promote Investment in India for co-development and co-production as also formulated the draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020)during the preceding pandemic months to steer the vision as also for ease of business”.
Shri Rajnath Singh added that India’s Aerospace and defence sector has matured and is exploring mutually beneficial partnerships with friendly countries to set up manufacturing industries in India and defence equipment produced in India to be exported abroad. He further stated that “Aero India-21 will showcase Government’s intent to achieve a turnover of USD 25 billion with exports of USD 5 billion in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025”.
The representatives from across the world were briefed that Aero India-21 will be a business oriented event and will be compliant to the COVID-19 stipulations. The event has received tremendous interest since the launch of the event website by the Defence Minister on 11 Sep 2020 and more than 90%of space has been booked reflecting the tremendous interest shown by exhibitors to participate in the aero show. The fine tuning of the business events and seminars are being planned and over 500 exhibitors are expected at Asia’s Largest Aeroshow.
Raksha Mantri also urged the Ambassadors to impress upon their leadership and Industry captains of their respective countries and defence industries to participate in Aero India-21 in a big way so as to “dive deep into the strategic and business opportunities available in India with the aim of establishing strategic partnerships”. Shri Rajnath Singh also released the official Aero India 2021 inaugural film on the occasion.
The theme of the event ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’, encompasses the gamut of Aerospace and Defence manufacturing including opportunities in the civil aerospace domain. The Defence Minister expressed confidence that Aero India-21 will demonstrate India’s ability to take the lead and further build on our strengths in the post COVID world.
Department of Defence Production gave a detailed presentation on all aspects of Aero India-21 and built in assurances to be compliant with COVID-19 stipulations. The Government of Karnataka also gave a presentation informing the participants about the preparedness of the state to conduct the show in a controlled and safe environment.
Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri BS Yediyurappa also addressed the distinguished audience and assured them that Government of Karnataka would make all necessary preparations towards safe conduct of the Aero India-21 in February 2021 at Bengaluru keeping in mind the safety of the participants and in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Yesso Naik; Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar also addressed the gathering and echoed the resolve of the Ministry of Defence to steer the indigenous defence industry as one of the pillars of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and invited the Foreign delegates to Aero India-21.