Year Ender 2023: The year 2023 has been full of many achievements from the point of view of the Indian Army. During this period, along with becoming self-reliant in the defense sector, India has also made a big record in exports. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the army was equipped with the world’s deadliest warships like INS Vikrant, destructive fighter planes like Tejas and Rafale and nuclear submarines. India also tested several nuclear missiles. The Indian Defense Research Organization and other defense production companies also made a big record in the production of defense equipment in 2023. With this, India became a country selling arms to 85 countries.
According to Defense Ministry data, 2023 is an important year for the Indian Army. The PM Modi-led government has made great progress towards realizing the vision of a strong, secure, self-reliant and inclusive India. Record defense exports, all-time high production and increase in the number of items in the positive indigenization list are testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to make India a global manufacturing hub. With this, from being deployed in the world’s highest battlefield to commanding combat units and naval warships, Nari Shakti has established a new dynamism in military skills.
Indian Army’s strength increased on the border
In the year 2023, the Indian Army has got more strength on the border. 2023 was a historic year for the Ministry of Defense (MoD). Major steps were taken towards realizing the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to build a strong, secure, self-reliant and inclusive India. Efforts to achieve ‘self-reliance’ in defense and modernization of the armed forces have advanced with renewed vigor. The country has seen record defense exports and all-time high defense production. Strengthening the border infrastructure, harnessing women power and ensuring the welfare of ex-servicemen remained the priorities of the Defense Ministry.
emphasis on indigenization
Along with self-reliance in defence, the Indian Army has also emphasized on positive indigenization. The fifth Positive Indigenization List (PIL) now includes 98 such equipment. It involves highly complex systems, sensors, weapons and ammunition. All these items will be procured from indigenous sources in a staggered timeline as per the provisions given in the Defense Acquisition Procedure 2020. The DMA had earlier issued four positive indigenization lists, which included 411 military items. The Department of Defense Production (DDP) has notified 4 lists, comprising a total of 4,666 items. This includes line replacement units/sub-systems/spare and components for DPSU. The fourth list of 928 items has also been released.
Defense production crosses Rs 1 lakh crore
The value of defense production crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark for the first time in the financial year (FY) 2022-23. In the financial year 2021-22 it was Rs 95,000 crore. Due to government policies, industries, including MSMEs and start-ups, are coming forward in defense design, development and manufacturing and the number of defense licenses issued to industries has increased by almost 200% in the last 7-8 years. Through these policy initiatives of the government and tremendous contribution of the defense industry, defense exports reached an all-time high. It stood at Rs 16,000 crore in the financial year 2022-23, which is about Rs 3,000 crore more than the previous financial year. This has increased by more than 10 times since 2016-17.
India is selling these weapons to 85 countries
The self-reliance of the country in the field of defense can be gauged from the fact that India is now exporting to more than 85 nations. Indian industry has shown its design and development capabilities to the world, currently 100 companies are exporting defense products. Major platforms to be exported include Dornier-228, 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun, BrahMos Missile, Akash Missile System, Radars, Simulators, Mine Protected Vehicles, Armored Vehicles, Pinaka Rockets and Launchers, Ammunition, Thermal Imagers, Body Armour. Are included. Global demand for LCA-Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter, Aircraft Carrier, MRO activities etc. is increasing.
Domestic industries got a boost
A record 75 per cent (about Rs 1 lakh crore) of the defense capital procurement budget in FY 2023-24 was earmarked for domestic industry, up from 68 per cent in 2022-23. This was announced by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh during the 14th Aero India in Bengaluru. A total budget of Rs 5.94 lakh crore was allocated to the Defense Ministry in the financial year 2023-24, which is 13.18 percent more than the total budget (Rs 45.03 lakh crore). Capital outlay related to modernization and infrastructure development was increased to Rs 1.63 lakh crore.
India’s largest helicopter manufacturing company established in Karnataka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) helicopter factory in Tumkuru, Karnataka. The factory is India’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility and will initially produce Light Utility Helicopters (LUH). LUH is an indigenously designed and developed three-tonne class, single engine multi-role utility helicopter with unique characteristics of high maneuverability. Initially, the factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year and this can be expanded to 60 and then 90 per year in a phased manner.
PM gave message of self-reliance by flying in indigenous Tejas
In November 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the message of self-reliant and empowered India to the whole world by flying in ‘Tejas’ twin-seater light combat fighter aircraft designed, developed and manufactured by HAL in Bengaluru. The flight was conducted from the Aircraft Systems Test Establishment, Bengaluru. Tejas’ capabilities were demonstrated to the Prime Minister during the 30-minute flight. This was the first time that an Indian Prime Minister had flown a fighter aircraft. The Prime Minister also visited the production facilities of LCA Tejas and was briefed about the technology intensive work being done at HAL towards realizing the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. HAL handed over the first twin-seater Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’ to the Indian Air Force in the presence of Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt in Bengaluru. It is a light weight, all-weather multirole 4.5 generation aircraft. The Indian Air Force has ordered 83 such LCAs to HAL.
C-295 transport aircraft becomes India’s new strength
The high-performance C-295 MW transport aircraft became the new strength of the Indian Air Force. It was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The aircraft was inducted through a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defense and Space S.A., Spain. 15 more such aircraft will be received by August 2025. The remaining 40 will be manufactured at the C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility, the foundation stone of which was laid by Prime Minister Modi in Vadodara, Gujarat in October 2022. Now the first Made in India aircraft is expected to arrive from September 2026. It will be a medium lift tactical aircraft capable of taking off and landing from unprepared landing grounds. It will replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft.
Defense Acquisition Defense Acquisition Council increased the strength of the armed forces
The Defense Acquisition Council, chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in its meetings in 2023, has increased the operational preparedness of the armed forces. For this, a total of proposals worth more than Rs 3.50 lakh crore were approved. Out of this, Rs 2.20 lakh crore will be acquired from domestic industries. With this, approval was given for the purchase of Light Combat Helicopter and Light Combat Aircraft MK 1A from HAL. AoNs were also awarded by DAC for indigenously upgrading Su-30 MKI aircraft from HAL.
increased strength of navy
Medium range anti-ship missiles were also approved for surface platforms of the Indian Navy. The acquisition of towed gun systems to replace Indian field guns was approved. Provided AON for procurement of 26 Rafale maritime aircraft along with associated accessories, weapons, simulators, spares, documentation, crew training and logistics support for the Indian Navy from the French Government. Approved the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) for the tri-services from the United States.
With this, BrahMos missiles, Shakti EW system and Utility Helicopter-Maritime worth Rs 56,000 crore were approved for the Indian Navy. The long-range stand-off weapon has been approved for the Indian Air Force which will be integrated into the SU-30 MKI aircraft. Procurement of 155 mm/52 caliber ATAGs with high mobility and gun towing vehicles for the Indian Army was also approved. Acquisition of Advanced Light Helicopter MK-III for Indian Coast Guard from HAL was also approved.
Network of roads laid in border areas
This year, 118 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) were dedicated to the nation by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. He launched 90 infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 2,900 crore spread across 11 states/UTs. These include the Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh. There are also two airfields, two helipads, 22 roads and 63 bridges. Of these 90 projects, 36 are in Arunachal Pradesh. While 26 in Ladakh, 11 in Jammu and Kashmir, five in Mizoram and three in Himachal Pradesh; Two each in Sikkim, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and one each in Nagaland, Rajasthan and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 28 infrastructure projects worth Rs 724 crore were launched during an event. The projects include 22 bridges. All these are in border areas.
Tunnels built to strengthen army’s reach
To strengthen the reach of the Indian Army in the border areas, BRO is currently working on 20 tunnels, of which 10 are under construction and 10 are in the planning stage. The 500 meter long Nechiphu Tunnel on B-C-T Road (Arunachal Pradesh) was dedicated to the nation by the Defense Minister in September. Additionally, construction of the 4.1 km long Shinku La Tunnel is likely to begin soon, which after completion will be the world’s highest tunnel at an altitude of 15,855 feet. Similarly, Sela Tunnel on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road in Arunachal Pradesh. This project comprises two tunnels of twin tube configuration. This will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang. After its completion, it will be the world’s longest two-lane highway tunnel at an altitude of 13,800 feet. At the same time, Kandi Tunnel of Jammu and Kashmir is being built 260 meters on NH-144A on Akhnoor to Poonch road despite adverse weather conditions. It will play an important role in increasing connectivity from Jammu to Poonch.
Bridges made transportation easier
To enable the Army to give quick response, 3,179 meter bridges have been completed in the border areas this year. 22 bridges have been revived. MoU signed with GRSE for supply and launching of 60 modular double lane CL 70 bridges. So far 20 such bridges have been completed. Permanent Bridge over Shyok River (Ladakh): Located at Sasser Brangsa at an altitude of approximately 15,300 feet, this 345.70 meter long bridge was built. Two double lane steel modular bridges over Chuzom-ha in Bhutan – Tshaphele and Kana – were inaugurated by Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Lyonpo Dorji Tshering in October. These bridges were constructed within just three months. Apart from this, 24 meter long RCC double lane permanent bridge on the road from Daranga to Trashigong was also inaugurated by the Mayor of Trashigong.
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