New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Thursday said that external dependence on armaments and ammunitions has been a matter of concern but reversing of this trend is quite encouraging.
He was addressing the special session on the second day of the 2nd conference on Military Ammunition Ammo India 2022.
“Our external dependence on armaments and ammunitions have been a matter of concern and the reversing of this trend which we are witnessing is quite encouraging,” he said.
He exhorted that self-sufficiency in critical defence requirement is a strategic imperative now more than ever.
Gen Pande, while highlighting the potential for domestic and foreign players in the Indian defence production, stated that Atmanirbharta does not mean isolating from the world, but it is self-sustaining and self-generating to promote efficiency, quality and resilience.
“It has been unequivocally stated that collaboration with foreign OEMs is intrinsic to Atmanirbhar Bharat and we have moved from a relationship of buyer-seller to a co-development and co-production with our foreign partners,” he added.
He said that the vision of achieving self sufficiency in ammunition requires a synergised approach from all stakeholders.
Together with need to turn the initiative into another success story and a win-win situation for all, he added.
Gen Pande stated that the contemporary security environment and changing character of war requires the armed forces to handle a wide spectrum of challenges both in conventional and sub-conventional domains. (UNI)
