The
Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes has said that modernization
of the army will be given top priority. Addressing the consultative
committee meeting of Defence Ministry in Iabalpur today, Shri
Fernandes said that with reference to ongoing proxy war and infiltration
from across the border the modernization has become more important.
He said the procurement procedure would be made more transparent
and simple. At the same time indigenisation programme will also
be given due attention as this results in saving of precious foreign
exchange, he added.
Referring to the
challenges of the future Shri George Fernandes said that induction
of Force Multipliers and upgradation of existing weapons and
equipment is essential to enhance the combat potential of the
Army. The recently created Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
and Defence Procurement Board (DPB) will streamline the procurements
to a large extent.
The members
were in full support of the modernization requirements of the
army and suggested that fund shortage should not be allowed
to come in the way. One member was of the view that long procurement
procedures have affected the modernization plan.
Dr. Nihal Chand,
Smt Jayshree Banerjee, Shri Akhilesh Singh, Capt Inder Singh
(Members Lok Sabha) and Dr. Vijay Mallaya (Members Rajya Sabha)
attended the meeting.
The Raksha
Rajya Mantri Shri Chaman Lal Gupta, Raksha Utpadan Rajya Mantri
Shri O Rajagopal, Defence Secretary Shri Subir Dutta, Defence
Production Secretary Shri NS Sisodia, Vice Chief of Army Staff
Lt Gen S Chaudhary and other senior officials were present in
the meeting.
