Centre sets Rs 3-L cr defence exports target for 2029: Sanjay Seth

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the Union Government has set the target to export Rs 50,000 crore of defence materials this year and aims to take the total defence exports to Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029.

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While addressing a press conference here today, Seth said, “Our defence budget for the current fiscal is Rs 6.81 lakh crore. It was Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013–14. Earlier, India was known as an importing nation, we didn’t even make bulletproof jackets or proper boots, but now, our forces have become fully self-reliant. We have become an exporting nation.”

He said that last year, India had exported defence equipment worth Rs 23,500 crore and was now supplying arms and ammunition to around 92 countries.

Highlighting the NDA government's achievements over the past 11 years, he said that today, the whole world looked at India with respect. “The world’s perception of India has changed. This is a new India, one that doesn't fear anyone, doesn't bow down, nor looks away, nor begs before anyone.”

He said that when the Covid pandemic hit the world and countries began developing vaccines, India developed not just one but two vaccines. Despite being mocked by the Opposition, the PM not only safeguarded 140 crore citizens but also extended help by providing vaccines to 118 countries. “While the world witnessed looting and chaos, not even a single shop was looted in India,” he added.

Referring to the terror attack in Pahalgam, he said, “After the attack, when the nation demanded action, the PM, speaking from Bihar, promised that the perpetrators would be destroyed, a promise that was fulfilled. It was for the first time in history such a massive military operation was carried out against a nuclear-armed nation, where within 23 minutes, India’s valiant forces destroyed 11 terrorist airbases,” Seth said.

“Under Modi's leadership, India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy and the economists are saying that India will soon overtake Germany. These 11 years of Modi have been a golden period of the country. We are confident that under his dynamic leadership, India will become a developed nation by 2047.”