Army chief calls for self-reliance in Defence, says 'it has become strategic necessity'

In a virtual event with  arms-industry partnership, Chief of Army Staff General Maj Mukund Naravane opined that India is "lagging behind slightly" in terms of defence modernisation as against versaries. He called for dressing requirements of armed forces through indigeus capability development. Army chief called for self-reliance in defence, terming it a "strategic necessity".

"Today self-reliance in defence has become a strategic necessity. It is imperative for us to invest in building long term indigeus capabilities for application across entire spectrum of conflict. Considering quick pace of defence modernisation being undertaken by our versaries, we are lagging behind slightly," he said. 

" continuous and heavy dependence of Indian armed forces on equipment of foreign origin needs to be dressed through indigeus capability development," he ded.

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'Twin challenges in 2020'

 Army chief recalled  events of last year when pandemic h disrupted supply chain and compelled country to focus on self-reliance, including defence sector amid escalations at rrn frontiers with China.

"2020 was a unique year with twin challenges of COVID pandemic and belligerence on rrn borders. events of past year have brought to fore vulnerability of global supply chains, underscoring need for self-reliance,"  Army chief said while ding that self-reliance will enable country to depend on itself in all areas and become main player in global ecomy.

"Niche techlogies, including artificial intelligence, automous unmanned systems, long-range precision techlogy, quantum computing, swarm drones are a better few and all se will certainly need to be acquired and absorbed as part of our deliberate and continuous process," he said.

According to reports, Defence Budget this year is said to witness an unprecedented hike with focus on self-reliance and increased procurement of indigeus arms and ammunition. armed forces are most likely to undergo a five-year modernisation program. According to defence sources, budget may be hiked in view of possibility of war on two fronts [Pakistan and China] amid ongoing tension along border.

(with inputs from ANI)

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