‘Slightly lagging behind…’: Army chief pushes for self-reliance in defence sector

Observing that India has "lagged behind slightly" in terms of the quick pace modernisation undertaken by our adversaries, and dependence of Indian armed forces on equipment of foreign origin needs to be addressed, Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Thursday said self-reliance in the defence sector has become a strategic necessity.

While addressing the arms-industry partnership virtually, the Army Chief pitched for a self-reliant India to become the main player in the global economy.

"Today self-reliance in defence has become a strategic necessity.

It is imperative for us to invest in building long term indigenous capabilities for application across the entire spectrum of conflict.

Considering the quick pace of defence modernisation being undertaken by our adversaries, we are lagging behind slightly.

The continuous and heavy dependence of Indian armed forces on equipment of foreign origin needs to be addressed through indigenous capability development," he said.

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