Defence Minister eyes equipping Forces to match 'fast-evolving global security scenario'

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh iterated on Saturday that government, in its efforts to equip Indian Armed Forces, is leaving no stone unturned. Defense Minister Singh stated government’s bid is a necessity in order to equip nation to face any future challenges which may arise considering "fast-evolving global security scenario".

dressing NCC cets attending a camp undergoing rehearsal for 74th Republic Day, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh cited India’s foolproof security infrastructure as one of best examples of teamwork and asserted that, "if re is ever a need to fight a war, whole country will be behind our armed forces". role played by country’s scientists, engineers and civil officers in providing support to Indian Armed Forces was also highlighted by defence minister. Meanwhile, he emphasized need to undergo a transformation in accordance with changing times.

"No stone is being left unturned by government to equip nation to deal with challenges that may arise due to fast-evolving global security scenario," Def Min Rajnath Singh said during his dress.  

Significant ditions to Indian Armed Forces

Indian Armed Forces are actively undergoing a transition to a atre command structure in dition to modernization and indigenization of tri-services. Special focus is being laid by government on enhancing India’s defence manufacturing sector to make nation self-reliant and tone down its dependence on foreign entities for defence material. development comes under government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign’ and aims to strengn India’s national security by maximizing indigenous development of defence material.

Image: Twitter/@IN_R11Vikrant (INS Vikrant's flight deck)

Notably, India has me strides in field of indigenous production of defence material in recent times. Indian Navy was latest of tri-services to receive indigenously developed Kalvari-Class submarine called INS Vagir.

ship is set to be commissioned on January 23. Meanwhile, Indian Navy also commissioned INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously developed aircraft carrier, in September 2022. Notably, aircraft carrier has been built with state-of--art automation features and is largest ship ever built in India’s maritime history, ministry of defence stated.  

Image: Twitter/@IAF_MCC (Tejas is an indigenously developed 4.5 generation fighter aircraft of IAF)

As for Indian Air Force, aerial fleet’s arma has been graced with indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), fighter holds distinction of being smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft. Furrmore, induction of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand furr enhanced IAF’s operational capabilities. multi-role rotorcraft was inducted into service by IAF in October 2022.

Image: Twitter/@gpi (Indian Para SF personnel)

Indian Army’s indigenization bid was on full display at 12th edition of DefExpo held in October 2022. A wide variety of defence equipment such as Kevlar, night-vision goggles, helmets and weapons including assault rifles and sniper rifles were exhibited. Furrmore, government recently approved three capital acquisition proposals me by Defense Acquisition Council (DAC). An Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was signed on January 10 under chairmanship of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, approving acquisition bid for HELINA and VSHORD worth Rs 4,276 Crore.  

Moreover, government’s decision to corporatise Indian Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) signifies its approach to fine-tuning defence manufacturing and production industry to enhance India’s security.