Bangaluru, Feb 6,2021: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday expressed confidence that the 13th edition of Aero India will contribute significantly towards strengthening India’s self-reliance in the defence sector as well as establishing India as a manufacturer for the world.
President, while addressing the valedictory ceremony of the Aero India 2021, said that the event was one of the largest which was held in a hybrid manner despite challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic. “Aero India 2021 has been an unprecedented success. I have been told that high-level delegations from 43 countries and exhibitors from 530 companies participated, many more across the world were associated virtually. It is the world’s first mega event of this kind to be held in hybrid format.”
He further added, “Past year has been a time of unprecedented hardships due to Covid-19. Its adverse impacts have been felt in all walks of life globally. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, I’m happy that Aero India 2021 has been organised successfully.”
President said that the 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.
He expressed his happiness that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has got the orders for 83 Tejas aircrafts from Indian Air Force valued at more than Rs 48,000 crore.
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 reforms initiated in India in the last six years offer unprecedented opportunities to investors and private companies in the defence and aerospace sectors.
Our vision is to create a robust economy and infrastructure alongside developing competitive supply chains and integrate them globally.
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 to our friendly foreign nations have already begun.
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.
I praise the courage and bravery of the Indian Air Force pilots for displaying exemplary professionalism in protecting India’s skies and strengthening the country’s defence, he said.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, I am happy that Aero India 2021 has been organised successfully. It has been held without compromising its spirit while following the Covid-appropriate norms.
President Kovind congratulated the organisers saying that the event was successful amid the difficulties presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier on February 3, the Defence Ministry handed over a contract to manufacture 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighters to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at the Aero India international air show.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Indian Air Force chief RKS Bhadauria and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) chief G Satheesh Reddy have hailed the government for handing over the contract to manufacture 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A fighters to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) saying that it will help the nation attain self-reliance in manufacturing of defence equipment and weaponry.
Since its inception in 1996, Bengaluru has been hosting the event.
Held every two years, Aero India is a platform for aerospace enthusiasts, prospective defence industries, aspirant start-ups and other stakeholders to participate and witness the advances in global defence and aerospace fields and interact with delegations and industries from across the globe.
