Umroi (Meghalaya), May 30 (PTI) The Indian Army is utilising the opportunity of multilateral military exercises with friendly nations to showcase its indigenously-built defence equipment and boost exports, an official said on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines at the conclusion of a 13-nation military exercise here, Army Design Bureau’s Additional Director General Maj. Gen. CS Mann said, “The Indian defence industry is growing at a very exponential pace because of the push for being ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant), the government making enabling provisions, and focus by all the three services, especially the Army.” The country’s defence equipment industry is getting a lot of opportunities domestically, but the local market is not enough, he maintained.
“We need to capture the export market. Therefore, in an endeavour to promote exports, we hold exhibitions when we have exercises with friendly nations,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Mann pointed out that such exhibitions provide the industry a platform to interact with foreign delegates and pitch for equipment.
In line with it, an exhibition of defence equipment and systems by 51 industry partners was organised as part of ‘Exercise Pragati’, in which 12 foreign countries took part at the Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, he said.
The vice-chief of the Indian Army, as well as vice-chief level delegations of all the foreign nations, attended the closing ceremony and viewed the exhibition, Maj. Gen. Mann added.
He said systems engaged in perimeter security, surveillance equipment, armament, ammunition, drones, radars and all-terrain vehicles, among others, were on display.
“This time, we requested the delegations to express their interest, and accordingly, we invited the industries, so that it is meaningful and the industry gets more traction and increased export,” the top defence official added. PTI SSG SSG BDC
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