Defence Ministry to manufacture diesel-powered marine engines

New Delhi: In a significant step towards Self-reliance, the Ministry of Defence will manufacture diesel-powered marine engines used in ships and design and develop a heavy-lift helicopter for the three services. Both projects will have the participation of the private sector.

The announcements have been made at a seminar organised by the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) and the Society for Indian Defence Manufacturers in New Delhi.

In the past four-five years, the defence imports have come down by 21 percent- PM Modi

At the same seminar titled "Swavlamban" (self-reliance), Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the goal of self-reliance in the Indian defence forces. "In the past four-five years, the defence imports have come down by 21 percent. Today, we are moving fast to be a big exporter. Last year, Rs 13,000 crore worth of defence export was made," Modi said.

This figure of 21 per cent reduction, which PM Modi cited, is part of the report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in March. Comparing two five-year blocks — between 2012-16 and 2017-21 — it said Indian arms imports decreased by 21 percent.

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