Rajnath Singh inaugurates 1st operationalised private defence manufacturing facility

New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first operationalised private sector defence manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) in Lucknow on Saturday. The facility, run by Aerolloy Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PTC industries, will manufacture parts for aircraft engines, helicopter engines, structural parts for aircraft, drones and UAV, submarines, ultra-light artillery guns, space launch vehicles and strategy systems etc.

The minister also laid the foundation stone for an integrated metal manufacturing facility under PTC industries that will produce key raw materials in titanium and other exotic alloys for aerospace applications. This plant will significantly reduce the country's dependence on imports for all platforms which require titanium and nickel superalloys and will help in building a strong and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Rajnath Singh applauded PTC Industries Limited as an example of how in today's competitive environment, a company can be successful through the adoption of technology and said that the two units will prove to be major milestones in the path of self-reliance in defence in the times to come. He added that UPDIC and the units are a result of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat.' He appreciated the fact that PTC supplies products to renowned companies in India and abroad, contributing to the government's vision of transforming India into a net defence exporter. On PTC obtaining clearance certificate for critical On-line Fittings (OLFs) for defence applications from the Ministry of Defence recently, Singh said that the clearance will prove to be a big step in 'Make in India' and towards achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The minister emphasised the need for continuous modernisation of Armed Forces in the rapidly changing global security environment and said that public and private sectors, academia and research and development organisations provide solutions to the problems faced by the sector. "The Indian defence industry has the potential to develop quality and cost-effective equipment which will not only bolster national security, but will improve the export of military hardware to the world. Companies like PTC Industries Limited can play an important role in this," he said.

Singh said that as the nation is currently celebrating 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,' this is an opportunity to give a fresh impetus to our resolve to Make in India and 'Make for the World.' He noted that the Armed Forces have also supported the drive for Aatmanirbharta in Defence. Singh stated that all these initiatives by the government have resulted in an increase in the number of contracts being awarded to the indigenous defence industry.

This includes the recent LCA Tejas contract of about Rs 50,000 crore given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). He stressed that from prioritising procurement from Indian-IDMM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) categories to supporting R&D, the government is striving to harness technology through active engagement with the industry, academia, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, quality controllers etc.

The Defence Minister underlined that the steps undertaken by the government have started to bear fruit. "In the last seven years, our defence exports have crossed the mark of Rs 38,000 crore and more than 10,000 SMEs have joined in the defence sector. The research & development, startup, innovation and employment has also increased as a result of these policies," he added.

The Defence Minister expressed confidence in increased investments by private companies in the near future and hoped that city of Lucknow and the state of Uttar Pradesh will make a mark in the manufacturing domain of the defence and aerospace sector.

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