Bharat Shakti showcased in Pokhran

New Delhi: As Indian-made artillery guns pounded targets and Tejas fighter jets, along with indigenous advanced light helicopters, carried out combat drills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday underlined the country’s march towards attaining self-reliance in defence and said Pokhran has become witness to the trinity of India’s ‘aatmanirbharta’, belief and self-pride.

He made this observation after witnessing the ‘Bharat Shakti’ integrated tri-service firepower and maneuver exercise.

In a thrilling 50-minute display, the three services showcased the prowess of indigenous defense equipment. Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT), ALH M-IV, K-9 Vajra, and Sharang artillery gun systems exhibited their combat capabilities. Platforms like the Pinaka satellite system and a swarm of drones left the audience spellbound. Modi, in his address, stated, “The roar of aircraft mid-air and the valour displayed on the ground during the Bharat Shakti exercise is the call of a ‘new India’.”

He recalled that it was at Pokhran where India conducted its nuclear tests in the past. “Pokhran has become witness to the trinity of India’s self-reliance, belief, and self-pride,” Modi said.

Speaking about the test firing of the long-range AGNI missile equipped with advanced MIRV technology the previous day, the Prime Minister said only a handful of countries in the world possess this new-age technology and prowess. He underlined that the testing is another feather in the cap for self-reliance in defence.

“The idea of Viksit Bharat is unimaginable without aatmanirbhar Bharat,”| the Prime Minister said, underscoring the need to reduce dependence on



others. Noting that today’s occasion is a step towards this resolution, the Prime Minister said India is laying emphasis on aatmanirbharta from edible oils to fighter jets.

Modi said the success of ‘aatmnirbharta’ in defence can be seen with India’s tanks, cannons, fighter jets, helicopters and missile systems which reflect India’s strength.

“We are experiencing the flight of Made in India with arms and ammunition, communication devices, cyber and space. This is indeed Bharat Shakti,” an elated Prime Minister said. He also mentioned indigenously made Tajas fighter jets, advanced light combat helicopters, submarines, destroyers, aircraft carriers, advanced Arjun Tanks and cannons.  

Listing out the steps for making India self-reliant in the defence sector, the Prime Minister mentioned policy reforms and roping in the private sector and encouragement of MSME startups in the field.

He talked about defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and informed about Rs 7000 crore investment therein. Furthermore, Asia’s largest helicopter factory has started working in India.

He congratulated the Chiefs of all three forces for preparing lists of items that will not be imported and supporting the Indian ecosystems of these items. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that in the last 10 years, equipment worth Rs 6 lakh crore has been procured from Indian companies.

During this period defence production of the country has doubled to more than Rs 1 lakh crore. In the last 10 years, more than 150 defence startups have started and defence forces have given them orders worth Rs 1,800 crore.