Bengaluru, Sept. 18 -- Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday lauded India's rapid strides in indigenous manufacturing, stating that the nation's annual defence production is now nearly four times what it was in 2013-14.

In a major boost to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', HAL officially handed over the first indigenous HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft and LCA Tejas FOC Trainers to the Indian Air Force, alongside delivering civil-certified Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH Dhruv NG) to Pawan Hans Limited.

Extending his congratulations to the aerospace major, Naidu said, "My deepest congratulations to HAL. Under the leadership of PM Modi, it has given the nation the most important milestone in aerospace. It showcased the power of Aatma...