Bengaluru: Defence Minister Rajanath Singh on Wednesday said that the country is fully geared up to face any air strike.
Mr Singh made the observation after inaugurating the three-day 13th biennial International premier aerospace and defence exhibition Aero India 2021 at Yelahanka air base, on the outskirts of the city amid the Covid-19 pandemic with a buzz around ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ and ‘Make in India’ push.
He said that with a combination of both physical and virtual exhibition, the event is the world’s first hybrid aerospace show.
“It was also a proud movement. India is hosting Asia’s biggest airshow and thank the Karnataka government for its support in conducting the air show,” he added.
Recollecting the role played by 12th Century reformer Basavanna and the great engineer Sir M Vishwavesharaiah, he said under Atmanirbhar country’s defence sector has been modernising and upgrading itself at various levels. For this purpose 30 million US dollar was earmarked, he added.
Underlining that India’s contribution in the field of defence has been closely watched by the entire world and some countries are eager to partner and it would be utilised to further modernize the defence sector.
He said that the union government committed to strengthening the defence sector furthermore with ‘Make in India’ development to reach the goal of emerging as one of the strongest defence forces in the world.
Along with Indian, many foreign airplanes will also show their strength in this air show. Air display will be held twice a day. A total of 42 planes will exhibit its strength. A total number of 63 planes, including India and other countries, will fly. Three thousand people are allowed to watch the air show every day.
