Neighbours Adding Military Muscle at a Feverish Pace, Says Antony

[Deletedid1]

Following is the text of the address delivered by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony as the Chief Guest during the presentation of the Field Marshal Cariappa Annual Memorial Lecture, organised every year to mark the Infantry Day celebrations, by the former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam here today:

“It is truly a pleasure to address you all at the 15th Field Marshal KM Cariappa Memorial Lecture. The Indian Army is utilizing the occasion to honour the memory of a great soldier of India. Field Marshal Cariappa was a brave soldier and an inspiring leader of men.

The central theme of the lecture - “National Security and Military Modernization” is of crucial relevance to our nation and society. We have just heard Dr. Kalam’s highly informed and captivating talk on the subject.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our economy’s success story, democratic political system and pluralistic society are an object of admiration and envy for several nations. At times, the strength we derive from our political system and social fabric throws up challenges, but the nation has by and large responded to these challenges in a mature and a peaceful manner. Our aim is to preserve the internal and external environment and make it as conducive as possible, for unhindered economic progress and socio-political advancement.

Our strategic, geopolitical situation and the compulsions of history pose unique challenges for our country. Some nations are keen to incite threats to our unity and integrity. The prevalent security environment necessitates securing our land, air and sea borders to effectively guard against traditional threats to our land borders, defending our airspace and protection of our maritime energy supply routes. Our neighbours are building their military capabilities at a feverish pace. Thus, to successfully meet such challenges, the need for us to be vigilant and prepared at all times goes without saying and is unquestionable.

Our Government is alive to the urgent need to quicken the pace of modernization of our Armed Forces. We have initiated a number of measures to provide an impetus to defence procurement. Defence Ministry is in the process of implementing a new procurement policy, which would be even more effective and quicker than the current DPP-2008. We believe that the private and public sector can and must coexist in the defence sector. Our Government has undertaken several policy initiatives to promote public-private partnerships to put military modernization on the fast track. We are making efforts to ensure maximum synergy between DRDO, Ordnance Factory Boards, Defence PSUs and the private sector. All the agencies in the public and private sector must cooperate to share efforts and resources to address design, manufacturing and maintenance concerns of our defence forces. On their own, Defence PSUs are unlikely to be able to meet all the requirements of the Armed Forces at the desired pace and within the required time-frame. Over the years, private industry in the defence sector too has evolved. We should leverage the strengths of both – the Defence PSUs and the private sector to achieve our objectives in the realm of defence.

Last but not the least, I would like to flag one issue of real concern. Even with a large industrial infrastructure, we are still importing about 70 per cent of our defence requirements. We are still far off from establishing ourselves as a major defence equipment manufacturing nation. Our efforts to reduce the import content of our defence requirements are not yielding the desired results. Given our economic status, this is not a very desirable state of affairs. If modernization is to be more meaningful, it must go hand-in-hand with indigenization.

In the end, I wish to congratulate the Army fraternity for organizing the Infantry Day Celebrations. I am sure that will continue to take our Armed Forces to greater glory.”

[banti321]

inkoka decade varaku mana vallaki defence vi self manufacturing units ravadam kashtam mama sCo_hmmthink

[Deletedid1]

[quote author=ChittinnaraNaidu link=topic=106191.msg1128037#msg1128037 date=1286380704]
inkoka decade varaku mana vallaki defence vi self manufacturing units ravadam kashtam mama sCo_hmmthink
[/quote]

Navy adn comunications lo madalayyayi baa lo modalayyai baaa...........  we still have to privatize lot more.

1960s JRD asked Nehru to give permission to manufacture Fighter jets in Inida..............kaani mana Nehru gurinchi telisinde kada  sSa_j@il sSa_j@il

[Saamy]

%<>( %<>( *7*^ *7*^

[Deletedid1]

[quote author=Saamy link=topic=106191.msg1128065#msg1128065 date=1286381315]
%<>( %<>( *7*^ *7*^
[/quote] sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink sCo_hmmthink

[keko__keka]

nice thread