New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Friday that Indian defence industry is becoming export-oriented and country’s defence exports are set to grow to Rs 35,000 crore in next five years.
“We are manufacturing weapons and equipment not just to arm our defence forces but we are now gradually becoming an export-oriented defence industry and our defence export which currently range in the region of just about Rs 11,000 crores annually is set to grow to approximately Rs 35,000 crores by the year 2024,” he said.
“In order to maintain peace and stability, the ramed forces have to be capable to deliver the intent when called upon to do so. For that, we need well-trained manpower, soldiers, sailors and airmen who are empowered. I believe that empowerment of the soldiers come from good training providing them with good quality weapons and equipment,” said Rawat.
He further asserted that India is one of the leading armed forces of the world, not only by virtue of our size but by virtue of our extensive combat experience, professionalism and apolitical nature.
Rawat was speaking at an event of Indigenous Defence Equipment Exporters Association.