Rajnath Singh takes charge as Union Defence Minister, aims for 'Aatmanirbhar' defence sector

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, June 13: Upon assuming the role of Defence Minister on Thursday, Union Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that the key objective of the Narendra Modi government would be to strengthen and promote self-reliant defence manufacturing, in line with the ‘Aatmanirbhar’ initiative.

Assuming office in South Block in the national capital, Singh stated that the government will work to increase defence sector exports, with a target of Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years.

National security top priority, aim to increase exports from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore

Rajnath Singh, after being entrusted with the Defence Ministry by PM Modi, reaffirmed national security as the top priority. He set goals to enhance self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing and increase exports from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore over five years, while praising the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for their dedicated service.

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“PM Modi has given me the responsibility of the Defence Ministry again. Our priorities will be the same, the protection of the country. We want to develop a strong and ‘Aatmanirbhar’ Bharat. We want to become self-reliant on defence manufacturing. We have exported defence equipment worth over Rs 21,000 crore. Our target is to take this figure to Rs 50,000 crore in the next five. We are proud of our three armed forces, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated.

Rajnath Singh, a Member of Parliament from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, assumed the role of heading the Ministry of Defence for the first time on June 1, 2019.

Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth has been appointed as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence.