NEW DELHI, JULY 28 (UNI) Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Thursday said that external dependence on armaments and ammunition 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 defense requirements is a strategic imperative now more than ever. Gen Pande, while highlighting the potential for domestic and foreign players in the Indian defense 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.
