Modi said the Union Government has decided to lay stress on manufacturing of defence equipment. He said the helicopters manufactured in Tumkur will serve soldiers stationed in remote locations.

The Prime Minister said that the first helicopter built in this unit should take flight by 2018. He added that 4000 families will directly or indirectly get livelihood due to this factory. He recalled Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's vision for industrialisation in India, as a means to empower the poor and downtrodden, and said this manufacturing unit is also a step towards fulfilling that vision.
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