Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 28, 2026) hailed India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, pointing to the maiden flight of the first made-in-India C-295 transport aircraft and the successful test of the indigenous Long-Range Land-Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM).

He also thanked citizens for supporting his appeal for austerity amid the West Asia crisis.

Addressing the nation in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Mr.

Modi said June had been a “landmark month” for India’s aviation and defence sectors.

Referring to the C-295 programme, he said 40 aircraft are being manufactured in India, giving a major boost to the country’s MSMEs and aerospace industry while creating employment opportunities.

The first C-295 transport aircraft manufactured in India completed its maiden flight on June 10.

The Indian Air Force is procuring 56 aircraft under a ₹21,935-crore deal, with 40 being manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Limited in partnership with Airbus at a facility in Vadodara.

Mann Ki Baat: PM applauds athletes, farmers, grassroots changemakers The Prime Minister cited the successful flight-test of the indigenous LRLACM conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation earlier this month.

“From the seas to the skies, our India is becoming increasingly secure and self-reliant,” he said, adding that all major subsystems of the missile had been indigenously developed.

Mr.

Modi referred to the recent induction of INS Dunagiri, INS Shanshak, and INS Agrya into the Indian Navy, saying the warships were designed and built entirely in India.

The Prime Minister thanked citizens for responding positively to his appeal for conserving resources amid the conflict in West Asia.

He said many people had begun carpooling, using public transport, postponing foreign travel and increasing the use of natural fertilizers.

He noted that several families had decided to recycle old gold instead of buying new jewellery for weddings.

“I am grateful to every citizen of the country; not only have they supported my appeal, they are also actively cooperating in every way,” he said.

Mann Ki Baat: Made-in-India products should offer top quality, says PM Modi Highlighting environmental conservation, Mr.

Modi praised the efforts of biologist Purnima Devi Barman in changing public perceptions about Assam’s hargila bird (greater adjutant) and lauded community initiatives in Meghalaya to preserve the State’s living root bridges, for which India has sought UNESCO World Heritage status.

The Prime Minister commended women in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district for converting plastic waste into eco-bricks used for beautifying public spaces and praised Nagaland’s ‘Baby League’ football initiative for children aged five to 12.

For Ganesh Chaturthi, the Prime Minister urged people to purchase idols made from locally sourced clay and crafted by Indian artisans, calling on buyers to check both the material used and the country of manufacture before making their purchase.