NEW DELHI, JULY 27 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for innovations in the field of am¬munition for the creation of a “strong and self-reliant” base that keeps the Armed Forces fully prepared to deal with future challenges. He was ad¬dressing the inaugural session of the second conference on Military Ammunition (Ammo India) on the theme “Make in India Opportunities and Challenges” in New Delhi.
The Defence Minister described advanced ammunition as the “reality of the new age warfare, which is a must for India, given its regional & global imperatives and security challenges”. “Scientific & technological as well as the economic development of a nation is reflected in the capacity of its weapons and ammunition. The development of ammunition is crucial not only for security but also for the socio-economic progress of the country. For India to become a world power and one of the leading countries in defense production, we must move forward in the indigenous design, development & production of ammunition,” he asserted. Singh noted that the government, realizing the “crucial role” that the private sector can play in strengthening the defense sector, has removed “many barriers”, which were earlier prevalent. He said, from capping the participation of bidders, criteria of financial eligibility, or the issue of credit ratings, the government has given considerable relaxation.
He exhorted the public and private sectors, research and development establishments, start-ups, academia, and individual innovators to explore newer avenues that can create a base that caters to the needs of the Armed Forces, ensuring their enhanced preparedness.
