Bengaluru: While underlining that the forces are being increasingly equipped with indigenous systems, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday stressed that nothing less than the best can be allowed when it comes to national security.
Addressing the Valedictory event of the 15th Aero India in Bengaluru, Singh added that only with the complete satisfaction of the armed forces can India move ahead to achieve self-reliance at a faster pace.
His comments came two days after IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh was caught on camera at Aero India censuring officials of state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) over the tardy pace of production of the Tejas Mk-1A.
On Wednesday, Rajnath expressed appreciation over the fact that while a decade ago, 65-70 percent of India’s defence equipment would be imported, today almost the same percentage of weapons/platforms are being manufactured on Indian soil.
“Today, we are at a juncture where many defence products, including fighter jets, missile systems and naval vessels, are not only protecting our borders, but also catching the attention of the world. From small artillery to large platforms like Brahmos and Akash missile systems, we are exporting a variety of products to many countries. We have forged new partnerships at the global level, which has resulted in increased defence exports,” he added.
The defence minister underlined that, with its current share of 21 percent in total defence production, the private sector is playing an active role in achieving the goal of self-reliance.
He said that in addition to the public and private sectors, the armed forces play the biggest role in the country’s pursuit of self-reliance.
“National security is of utmost importance and there is no scope for any compromise. Nothing less than the best can be allowed when it comes to national security. Be it the equipment for our soldiers or provision of proper amenities for them and their families, providing them the best in everything is our national responsibility. I am happy to say that today our forces are not only being equipped with the best weapons/technologies, they possess the platforms manufactured in India,” he said.
The defence minister added, “The military has wholeheartedly adopted weapons and equipment manufactured in the country. Only with the complete satisfaction of our armed forces can we move ahead to achieve self-reliance at a faster pace. The huge Defence Industrial Complex being built in India is based on the trust and faith of all our forces.”
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