New Delhi/Bengaluru: The Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu paid his maiden visit to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities accompanied by Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka on Friday. "I am assured of our nation's security and safety after seeing this impressive infrastructure in aerospace and defence," he said in his address to senior officers of HAL and ADA.

He hailed the ongoing public-private partnership in various defence projects of HAL and said all efforts should be made to develop cutting-edge technologies indigenously to strengthen India's defence against the background of the complex geopolitics. The dignitaries visited LCH, ALH Hangars, and LCA Tejas division.

"HAL has attributes of a global leader and I envisage the company to play a greater role in realizing India's dream of self-reliance in aerospace and defence in the future. I am proud of the role the company has played for the past 80 years ever since its inception. I am happy that India's home-grown fighter LCA Tejas will be produced in large numbers and the government has taken initiatives to galvanize the Indian Defence Industry," he added.

Hailing HAL's sterling contributions, Gehlot said HAL is a unique aerospace company with a diverse range of products and is transforming itself as a lead integrator on most of the projects. "There are a lot of expectations as the Company steps into the future," he added.

HAL's CMD Madhavan in his welcome address said that the company would further the cause of initiatives taken by the government.

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