New Delhi: Days after the announcement of a Nuclear Command chain, Defence Minister
George Fernandes on January 8 declared that India as a nuclear weapon state would
have to strive for complete self reliance in Defence so that weaknesses felt during
the Kargil conflict do not surface again.
Pointing out that imports for the Defence forces continued to outnumber the
indigenous arms production, he told Defence scientists that this could not continue
for long and efforts now had to be squared towards reducing foreign dependence with
each passing year, particularly in critical technology.
Asserting that it was imperative to establish indigenous design, developing and
manufacturing capability for futuristic weapons systems, Fernandes said this would
enable availability of spares for equipment and their servicing at short notice, a
need felt during the Kargil war.
At a function after giving away innovation awards to 32 Defence scientists,
technicians and engineers, the minister said that at the same time boost had to be
given to armament exports, which could offset huge expenditure needed for Defence
research and development.
Lauding the country's Defence scientists, he told them "India's status as a nuclear
weapons state is your achievement and development of Prithvi and Agni missiles and
5.56 mm state of art small firearms bear testimony to your competence".
Fernandes said India could have achieved the nuclear weapon status earlier, but for
the "self abnegation by the political leadership".
Fernandes said the scientists, the government, the factories, the private sector and
all the large workforce will have a role to play in achieving self reliance.
"Let self reliance be not merely a cliche and even if it is so, it is worth
repeating. There is huge potential in the defence industry and it needs to be
tapped," he said.
Emphasising on development of initiatives to challenge the barriers of technological
innovations, he said India had to get set for designing futuristic weapons systems
and platforms, which met global standards and which would be accepted against global
competition.
Pointing out that development of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft and Advanced Light
Helicopters had been appreciated by several countries, Fernandes said nations wanted
now to join as development partners in these key technology products.
He said each of the defence public sector undertakings and Ordinance factories were
now in possession of unique technologies and added exchange and pooling of such
technological resources would ensure better utilisation of assets.
The minister said Society of Defence Technologists (SODET), which had come up with
Defence Innovation Awards was working towards the objective of sharing expertise,
facilities and technologies of the Defence PSUs.
SODET, Fernandes said, was also considering taking up joint design and development
of armament projects specially for offshore patrol vessels and assured that his
ministry would support such programmes.
PTI
