India destroyer sends message to world: Modi
Iran Press TV
Sun Aug 17, 2014 12:31PM GMT
India's prime minister has commissioned the country's largest indigenously-built warship as the South Asian nation tries to shore up its defense capabilities.
Narendra Modi on Saturday inducted the INS Kolkata into the navy at the Mazagaon docks in the city of Mumbai.
"INS Kolkata is entirely built in India and is a symbol of our self-reliance in the field of defense," Modi said during the commissioning ceremony attended by Defense Minister Arun Jaitley and top defense officials.
He added that the warship is a major example of "India's technical abilities and will send a strong message around the world."
"Our aim is to make our country so strong in its defense capabilities, that no country ever dares to cast an evil eye on our nation," the premier said.
Modi further said India should focus on local research, design and manufacture instead of relying so heavily on defense imports, noting, "It is the aim of this government to take India from its position of importing every little piece of military hardware to a position where ... [the country] can export equipment."
The 6,800-ton INS Kolkata, which is equipped with the most advanced weapons systems, sensors and communication technology, is expected to boost India's maritime capabilities.
As the second most populous country in the world, India is in the middle of a $100-billion defense upgrade program.
Modi's government has raised the foreign investment cap on his country's defense industries to accelerate modernization of the military.
Earlier this year, India inducted the renovated 45,000-ton Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, renamed INS Vikramaditya, into its navy.
India has the world's fifth largest navy with around 140 ships.
MR/AB/SL
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