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New Delhi, September 12 (HS). Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has called upon the friendly foreign countries participating in the ongoing international air exercise 'Tarang Shakti' in Jodhpur to take a closer look and study India's aerospace industry. He said that the air forces visiting India should gain direct experience of Indian defense manufacturing industries. Till some time ago, India was seen only as an importer of weapons and equipment, but today India exports weapons and equipment to about 90 countries.
During Exercise Tarang Shakti, the Indian Air Force has set up an Indian Defence Aviation Exhibition in Jodhpur, which was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday. In the second phase of the exercise, the air forces of the US, Australia, Greece, Bangladesh, Singapore, UAE have come to participate with 70-80 aircraft including fighter aircraft, helicopters, special operation aircraft, mid-air refuellers and airborne warning and control systems (AWACS). The US is participating in this exercise with its F-16 and A-10 aircraft. He said that there are many such examples which tell the golden story of the development of our Air Force and our defence sector.
Rajnath Singh said that the Indian Air Force has been known for its strength and valor since its inception. Whenever the country needed it, the Air Force faced that situation bravely and displayed its power and increased the pride of the nation. After almost 60 years, such a big strategic exercise has been organized in the skies of India. When any exercise is conducted on such a large scale, the participating countries learn a lot from each other. Along with this, one gets an opportunity to understand different work cultures, different air war experiences and principles of fighting a war.
The Defence Minister said that the changing technology is rapidly changing the scenario of war and through 'Tarangshakti' all of you are moving ahead with strong wings in this direction. Moving ahead with such a rapidly changing scenario is the need of the hour. It has been more than 75 years since our India got independence. On this historic event, there is an opportunity to celebrate the grand achievements of the Indian Air Force so far. On the other hand, this occasion also gives an opportunity to remember the journey of our Air Force so far. Today we are not only the fastest growing economy in the world, but our armed forces are considered to be one of the most powerful armies in the world.
Rajnath Singh said that after the partition in 1947, the Indian Air Force had only 6 squadrons of two types of aircraft. Similarly, the rest of the war equipment was also very old and limited in quantity, but today the Air Force has transformed itself with the best and modern aircraft from around the world and new generation weapons. The Defense Minister said that our Air Force and our defense sector are moving forward rapidly with the new resolve of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Our defense sector has taken strong steps towards indigenization in the manufacture of weapons, platforms, aircraft. Today we have become self-reliant to a great extent in light combat aircraft, radar and electronic warfare and are constantly striving to move forward in these areas.
