Kolar, Feb 17 (NationPress) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remarked on Tuesday that the partnership between India and France knows no bounds, declaring that the sky is not the limit for their mutually beneficial relationship.

He emphasized, “India and France are trusted strategic partners,” highlighting a significant milestone in their collaboration as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled the final assembly line of H125 helicopters digitally. He congratulated the teams at Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Helicopters for this initiative, which showcases their dedication to enhancing high-end manufacturing.

Rajnath Singh pointed out that initiatives such as Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat have been at the forefront of India's economic strategy since 2014. These programs aim to achieve self-sufficiency in crucial technologies and advanced manufacturing through cooperative ventures.

He stated, “For over a decade, India has focused on rapid industrial growth through extensive infrastructure projects, significant capital investment in essential industries, and programs like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, while fostering an open environment to attract investments.”

He added, “Our initiatives have included supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises and fortifying the start-up ecosystem. Our target is to drive industrial advancement that caters to both domestic and global demands.”

As the Defence Minister of India, he highlighted reforms aimed at enhancing private sector involvement in the defence sector. Historically, defence production in India was dominated by the public sector due to high capital demands and extended development periods. However, reforms like the corporatisation of ordnance factories and the establishment of defence industrial corridors have boosted the private sector's contribution to approximately one-quarter of the nation's overall defence output.

He noted, “Our defence exports have surged, placing India among the leading global suppliers. This growth has benefited MSMEs and related sectors, now exceeding 16,000. Companies are sourcing components from Indian MSMEs, and we encourage them to deepen partnerships through effective technology transfer and provide advanced solutions that meet other countries' security requirements.”

The investment in the H125 program is projected to surpass Rs 1,000 crore and is expected to generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities for skilled youth.

He underlined that the H125 is celebrated for its reliability and versatility, proving to be one of the most effective and trusted single-engine helicopters globally.

He concluded, “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Airbus France and especially to the French Defence Minister.”