Rajnath to host defence ministers' meet at Aero India

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will host the 'Defence Ministers' Conclave' on February 14, on the sidelines of the 14th edition of Aero India here. The biennial air show would be held at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka from February 13-17.

The conclave will see the participation of defence ministers of friendly foreign countries, who would also be attending Aero India, an official release here said. The conclave would address aspects related to deepening cooperation for capacity building (through investments, R&D, joint venture, co-development, coproduction and provisioning of defence equipment), training, space, AI and maritime security to grow together with the broad theme ‘Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence' (SPEED), according to the release.

The conclave is an opportunity for defence ministers of all friendly foreign countries and India to engage with each other to carry forward the Prime Minister's vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World' for a secure and prosperous future for generations to come, it added.

According to officials, Aero India has carved a niche for itself globally as one of the premier aerospace exhibitions with 13 successful editions organised in Bengaluru since 1996. A total 731 exhibitors have registered - 633 Indian and 98 foreign - for Aero India this time round.

Noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a campaign for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (selfreliant India), in the defence sector, the reincrease it aims to increasing indigenous defence manufacturing and production capability to develop a self-sufficient defence ecosystem; involving like minded nations in developing a reliable supply chain free of exploitation and disruptions by certain players.

It said, while the domestic requirements are large enough to sustain the indigenous industry, India would like to partner with friendly countries to take the Defence production to next level and share the benefits to ensure shared prosperity.

The aerospace industry is also gearing up majorly to cater to the demand of aircraft (fixed and rotary wings), UAVs and communication systems, according to officials, the opportunities in aerospace for the Indian industries will enhance with favorable defence policies with the other countries by creating an eco-system in India.

Satellite enabled technologies such as information technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), chip manufacturing and communication technology are areas where massive scope for working together exists, according to the aerospace industry