World powers preoccupied,we must stand on own feet: PM

“The development of an indigenous defence industry is a national security objective,” Singh said while addressing the Combined Commanders Conference of the three services here.

“Modernisation of armed forces should not be limited only to acquisition of foreign equipment or foreign technologies. We have to progressively reduce our dependence on external sources,” he added.

Singh also felt there was a need for a national effort,involving the Armed Forces,scientists and captains of Indian industry to reduce dependency on foreign technology through indigenous efforts.

The Prime Minister said the country must gear up to meet high technology requirements of the Armed Forces.

“We have succeeded in persuading many of the advanced countries to dismantle their export control regimes targeted at us which will give us access to high technology,but we need to gear up our own efforts,” he said.

Observing that the Defence Procurement Procedure-2011 contains provisions to encourage participation of private industries,he said,”Procurement procedure must ensure transparency,probity and accountability.”

On steps taken by Defence Ministry to streamline the process of acquisition,Singh said,”I am glad that the DPP-2011 contains new provisions to encourage private sector participation in ship building and expansion in scope of the offset guidelines.”

Singh asked the Commanders to formulate a long term integrated plan to reduce the time taken in processing the proposals related to defence acquisitions.