Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India needs to focus more on research and development (R&D) and invation as it will help country in becoming self-reliant in defence production."In order to achieve desired objective, we have to become self-reliant in defence production and this can only happen through more R&D, invation and creation of cutting-edge techlogies in defence sector," minister said here.

Rajnath Singh stated importance of invation 

Singh also inaugurated Engineers' Conclave 2019 as well as Product Development and Invation Centre at premises of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) here. " Indian defence industry in past h t performed to its full potential, which has led to country's overwhelming dependence on imported arms," he said during his speech at BEL. One of main reasons for underperformance was our lack of techlogy and invation in defence sector, he said."Developing critical and cutting-edge techlogies indigeusly will make country self-sufficient, saving precious foreign exchange, which could be utilised in or development activities in our country," minister ded.

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DRDO Chairman says it's important for India to develop techlogies for Self-Defence

Satish Reddy, chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as well as secretary of Department of Defence R&D and M V Gowtama, chairman and Managing Director, BEL, were also present at event. "It is well said that when nations go to war, one with best techlogy is most likely to win," he said. "This was evident even during times of Anglo-Mysore wars when invation in military use of rockets instilled fear in minds of British by Mysore rulers of this region," Singh explained. In late 1700s, Mysorean Army, under Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, h effectively used rockets against British East India Company. Mysorean rockets were better than all or rockets because y used iron tubes to hold gunpowder. This h devastating effects on opponent. "Given changing global scenario and turbulences across key regions; it is pertinent that India develops key techlogies required for its self-defence," Union minister said. On Thursday morning, Singh flew a sortie in Tejas with Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari, becoming first Defence Minister to fly in this light combat aircraft. 

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