New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) With China tightening export rules for crucial rare earths, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said, “India must produce rare materials used in defence and aerospace to become a technology creator and safeguard its technological sovereignty.”
He was dedicating to the nation a Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant at PTC Industries’ Strategic Materials Technology Complex in Lucknow.
Emphasising the importance of rare earth materials used in defence, space, electronics, and other sectors, he noted that only certain countries possess the capability to refine and convert these materials into high-end products.
In this context, he said, the plant inaugurated, which is one of the first private sector manufacturing units to produce aero-engine components and super alloy components, will go a long way in helping India produce rare materials.
”In the past, India had been dependent on other countries for the advanced materials and critical technologies needed for defence and aerospace, thereby slowing the growth of the defence sector, and the initiatives such as the Titanium and Superalloy Materials Plant indicate a reversal of this trend,” Singh noted.
He reiterated that India would acquire true strength only when it can manufacture its own materials, components, chips and alloys. He stated that this new plant puts India amongst a select group of nations which can make their own critical defence and aerospace materials.
“With this, we will be able to manufacture the parts used in our fighter jets, missiles, naval systems and satellites”, he said.
The Defence Minister stressed that while technology is power, material is the real strength, adding that be it a semiconductor chip, bullet material or engine turbine part, none is possible without strategic materials. “We are building a foundation which will strengthen India’s technological sovereignty in the coming years,” he added.
