Slowdown not to hit defence modernisation: Antony

At the international seminar organized by the DRDO that is a traditional prelude to the biannual Bangalore air show Aero India,Anthony said India is “far,far away” from being self-reliant in the defense sector. He said he felt guilt over the slow pace of progress in defence production.

The defence minister said the government is pouring resources to enhance capabilities for the protection of the country. “We will provide you whatever you want to safeguard India’s national interests,” he said while hinting at government willingness to enhance defence outlay from six percent of the budget.

Public and private industries in the defence sector should also increase research and development spends to stimulate indigenous technology development,he said.

The current global economic downturn would not affect the modernization program of the Indian defence sector and an increased spend is in fact likely,Anthony said

“We have to take successes to a higher level,” the defence minister said while expressing satisfaction over Indian projects like the Advanced Light Helicopter,the Light Combat Aircraft,UAVs and missile systems like the Akash and Nag.

Referring to the terrorist attack at Mumbai on November 26,2008 the defence minister said “un-conventional means of warfare used by terrorists,as seen in the September 9/11 attacks and the recent terror attacks on Mumbai demand a calibrated international response. Technology has to be backed up by a proactive response from the government and the civil society in unison”.

The Chief of Air Staff who also spoke at the inauguration expressed distress over slow pace of modernization of the Indian Air Force.