1. Home
2. Defence

IAF's LCA order to boost domestic defence industry: Defence Minister

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 4/17/2021 11:20:49 AM

New Delhi, Apr 16 The Rs 48,000-crore order from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for 83 light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas would substantially boost the domestic defence industry and promote selfreliance, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday. Addressing the biannual IAF Commanders’ Conference (AFCC-21) at the Air Headquarters, the Minister termed it as a gamechanger from the indigenisation perspective. He urged the Commanders to continue their efforts for achieving even greater results in the field of indigenous defence prod u c - tion and aircraft maintenance. National security and economic development are complementary aspects of national policy. The IAF’s support for the indigenous industry would result in the development of MSMEs in this field which will simultaneously serve the cause of self-reliance and socio-economic development of the country. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), welcomed the Defence Minister along with Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other senior officials from the Ministry. Rajnath Singh expressed happiness that the conference coincided with the birth anniversary of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. He congratulated the IAF for ensuring a timely and befitting response to the sudden developments in Eastern Ladakh. He advised the Commanders to draw up long term plans and strategies for capability enhancement to counter future threats. He appreciated the critical focus of IAF towards reorienting for the future. Speaking about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he lauded the role played by the IAF in assisting other Government agencies in this task.