India can achieve self reliance in defence by the end of the decade : Maj. General Rajan Kochhar

Major General Rajan Kochhar,VSM (Rtd.) today participated and delivered key note lecture themed on India's approach towards Self Reliance in Defence & Technology during the webinar organised by Centre for National Security and Defence at PCRI. During his opening remarks the General, emphasized on the need for defence reforms to make our armed forces self-reliant and futuristic with ability to engage in modern warfare. Maj.Gen.Rajan laid special emphasis on the need of corporization as a key step in making our Armed Forces Aatma Nirbhar/Self-Reliant. Moreover, the general lauded Modi Government for its approach towards modernization & defence reforms. He even shared that FDI in the defence sector has been increased from 49 to 74 % & even appreciated the government’s plan towards indigenous defence acquisition procedure for the financial year 2020-2021. Moreover, he said that India is the 2nd largest arms importer in the world & accounts for 9.4% of arms imports globally. General further added that currently 60% of manufacturing materials are from domestic markets & 40% are imported from outside. Moreover, Gen.Rajan informed about the vision of Rs.35,000 Cr of arms exports by the end of this decade. General Rajan pointed out on the need to increase spending on Research & Development, which currently stands at 0.8% of the GDP in order to unleash the potential of India’s Defence Sector. Moreover, Gen. Rajan appreciated the role of start-ups working in the field of Defence & Technology & referred them as the backbone of the indigenisation programme & he even informed that government is supporting these start-ups with initial funding of 1.5 crores.

Furthermore, with respect to modernization the Gen. appreciated the induction of Rafale Fighter Jets & S-400 Missile Defence System but at the same time hinted to pace up the modernization efforts in order to counter current security & geo-political atmosphere. Moreover, Gen.Rajan laid out special emphasis on the significance of Artificial Intelligence as a key to the modern warfare. Further, Gen.Rajan termed the development of indigenously developed Tejas & INS Vishakhapatnam as a significant milestone towards self-reliance. Concludingly, Gen.Rajan warned on the possibility of an armed conflict with the People’s Republic of China in near future in case the complete disengagement & de-escalation doesn’t takes place. Although, Gen.Rajan re-affirmed that Indian Armed Forces won’t allow transgression & each soldier is committed to safeguard India’s sovereignty till its last breath. The event was even attended by Shri.B.N. Sharma (I.G.Retd.) BSF & Smt.Manisha Kaushik, IAS (OSD to 11th President of India).