The News Services Division brings you glimpses of the year 2021, in its Special Year Ender series, &quot;The Year that was&quot;. Today, we bring you a report on how the government has strengthened defence preparedness under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.<br />”<br />”Centre has taken various initiatives and reforms in the recent past that have created Trust, Transparency and&nbsp; Technology-driven approach in the defence sector like never before. Speaking at an event earlier this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pointed out that the present government understands the importance of self-reliance in defence and has been making constant efforts to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the sector.<br />”<br />”He said a sovereign nation can take decisions related to defence only if it is self-reliant. AIR correspondent reports that the Narendra Modi government has not shied away from taking bold decisions in the interest of the nation. &nbsp;<br />”<br />”Modernisation, up-gradation and sustenance of military equipment and weapons is taken up from time to time to equip the Armed Forces with modern weapon systems.<br />”<br />”A number of policy reforms have been undertaken aimed at promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Many significant projects including Artillery Gun system ‘Dhanush’, &nbsp;Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, ‘Akash’ Surface to Air Missile system have been produced in the country under ‘Make in India’ initiative.<br />”<br />”India and Russia recently signed an agreement for the indigenous production of over 6 Lakh AK-203 Assault Rifles at Korwa, in Uttar Pradesh. Other reforms include setting up of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, increasing the FDI limit to 74 per cent through automatic route and 100 per cent through Government route under certain circumstances.<br />”<br />”Private sector has contributed to about 90 per cent of country’s defence exports. The day is not far when India will achieve its target of complete self-reliance in the defence sector.&nbsp;<br />