PM Modi at Swavlamban: "National defence no longer limited to borders, every citizen needs to be aware"

New Delhi, Jul 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled ‘SPRINT Challenges’ on Jul 18, that aimed at giving a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in defence , particularly Indian Navy, during Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ in teh antional capital. In a bid to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies and products into the Indian Navy.

 

 

 

 

The collaborative project called SPRINT; Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC), is expected to boost self reliance in defence research and production even further. On the occasion PM Modi said the goal of self-reliance in the Indian defence forces is very important for India of the 21st century. He remarked that organizing the first 'Swavlamban' (self-reliance) seminar for a self-reliant Navy is an important step in this direction.

 

 

 

Recalling the glorious maritime tradition of the country, the Prime Minister stated that the defence sector of India used to be very strong even before independence. India was an important supplier of defence equipment in World War II. PM Modi said, “Our howitzers, machine guns made at the Ishapur Rifle Factory, were considered the best. We used to export a lot. But then what happened that at one point in time we became the world's biggest importer in this field?" He further added, “Innovation is critical and it has to be indigenous. Imported goods can’t be a source of innovation."

 

 

Prime Minister Modi stressed the self-reliant defence system is critical for the economy and also from the strategic point of view. He said the country has worked in mission mode to reduce this dependence after 2014. He remarked that the govt has given new strength to the public sector defence companies by organizing them in different sectors. PM Modi said, “Learning from the approach of the past decades, today we are developing a new defence ecosystem with the strength of everyone's efforts. Today defence R&D has been opened for the private sector, academia, MSMEs and start-ups." The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the wait for commissioning of the first indigenous aircraft carrier will be over soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also noted that now the threats to national security have also become widespread and the methods of warfare are also changing. He marked that today the circle is moving towards space, moving towards cyberspace, moving towards economic, social space. The Prime Minister warned against the new danger and said “we also have to intensify our war against forces challenging India's self-confidence, our self-reliance. As India is establishing itself on the global stage, there are constant attacks through misinformation, disinformation and false publicity. Keeping faith, the forces that are harming India's interests, whether in the country or abroad, have to be thwarted in their every effort. National defence is no longer limited to borders, but is much broader. Therefore, it is equally necessary to make every citizen aware about it.”

 

He continued “as we are moving forward with the ‘whole of the government’ approach for a self-reliant India, similarly, the ‘whole of the Nation’ approach is the need of the hour for the defence of the nation.” PM Modi concluded saying, “This collective national consciousness of various people of India is the strong basis of security and prosperity."