“Our import dependencies need to be near zero”: Army Chief General Manoj Pande lays thrust on self-reliance in military production

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Wednesday emphasised self-reliance in military production, stating that it is important that the country is able to source sustenance equipment like ammunition indigenously and develops its own capabilities and adequate thrust is being laid in this direction. Speaking at the Times Now Summit, General Pande said the country’s import dependency “should be near zero”. “It will be a strategic imperative in the future to be self-reliant. It is important that we are able to source sustenance equipment like ammunition indigenously.

Even technology, if we import we will always remain one cycle behind. It is important to develop our own capabilities and adequate emphasis is being done. Our import dependencies need to be near zero,” he said. “Exercise Bharat Shakti in Pokhran was to demonstrate the ongoing efforts towards capability development through Atmanirbharta.

We were able to demonstrate the robustness of our indigenous systems,” he added. General Pande also highlighted the ongoing advancements in use of technology in wars. “Conventional combat will no longer determine victory in future – niche critical tech, unmanned weapons are out of the conventional domain. It is important how efficient we are in leveraging from the technology within our country and those available commercially.” The Army Chief said the lesson learnt from the various conflicts around the world showed that countries would not hesitate to go to war over national interests.

Responding to a question on how prepared the Army is to meet challenges on the Northern border given the Chinese presence along the border, Gen Pande said the Army was focused and had a robust system in place. “We are very prepared, robust and balanced in terms of components that military has. We have made sure that we have adequate reserves.

We have our response mechanism firmly in place. As far as talks go, there have been 21 rounds of talks at the Military Corp Commander level and 14 rounds of WMCC diplomatic talks. It is my belief that only through talks can the matter at hand be resolved,” he said. “While we are focusing on talks we are also focusing on developmental work.Preparedness levels are very high, (there is) close watch on developments across borders,” he added.

 

[yogesh]

Reference the article, the cycle of research-development-research is important. It has been correctly said that dependencies need to be reduced substantially.

Hopefully, we should be in a position to manufacture most of the requirements of the forces including high end technologies and also meet the demands of other countries through exports

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Reference the article, the cycle of research-development-research is important. It has been correctly said that dependencies need to be reduced substantially.

Hopefully, we should be in a position to manufacture most of the requirements of the forces including high end technologies and also meet the demands of other countries through exports

Yes, that is why Govt appointed general manoj pande as army chief, he is the first officer from the engineering corps to hold this position. He understands the importance of technology and domestic defence production and is best guy to make army ready for this new era.

 

[Pink Panther]

Then stop asking for foreign products, it is quiet simple.

 

[kumar]

Instead of big statements like HAL, they should walk the talk when it comes to procurement.

 

[Prashu Sam]

Instead of big statements like HAL, they should walk the talk when it comes to procurement.

Seriously, If you want the import to reduce (may not possible to zero) then curb your chandigarh lobby, remove the corrupt Army officials, Set strong guidelines for Testing and collaborate with private sector, DRDO in requirements, design, active feedback system etc.
When your army is not doing its part it is just as stupid as talking election slogans.
Act !!! and Act now. There is lot you can do as senior officer more than talk.

 

[Prashu Sam]

Yes, that is why Govt appointed general manoj pande as army chief, he is the first officer from the engineering corps to hold this position. He understands the importance of technology and domestic defence production and is best guy to make army ready for this new era.

He is right guy, with right thought process and thinking. The question is will he act and do some differences in real or not?

Currently CDS position is similar to President of India. Only for showcase and celebration but do not have power, willingness or capability to make difference.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

He is right guy, with right thought process and thinking. The question is will he act and do some differences in real or not?

Currently CDS position is similar to President of India. Only for showcase and celebration but do not have power, willingness or capability to make difference.

Monoj Pande is army chief. CDS is Anil Chauhan, that is a different role. Regarding, the changes happening or not- Armed forces reform is complicated issue. Problem is that most of the people at the top are old people, 45-50-55 years of age. That is why change is slow in armed forces. But I believe that the political will is there, and govt has taken many steps, such as the agniveer scheme, establishment of CDS role, Atmanirbharta in defence etc. Change is slowly but steadily taking place.

 

[Prashu Sam]

Monoj Pande is army chief. CDS is Anil Chauhan, that is a different role. Regarding, the changes happening or not- Armed forces reform is complicated issue. Problem is that most of the people at the top are old people, 45-50-55 years of age. That is why change is slow in armed forces. But I believe that the political will is there, and govt has taken many steps, such as the agniveer scheme, establishment of CDS role, Atmanirbharta in defence etc. Change is slowly but steadily taking place.

I know Manoj Pande army Chief and Anil Chauhan as CDS. i failed to mention that in comment, my point was Both talks in similar fashion. I saw few interviews from both and they stress on "Made in India" but do not act.

But thanks for pointing out.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to actually achieve that by either developing our own indigenous solutions or reverse engineering them. The private sector need to work more with the military and be given the opportunity to make and develop the products that they want as a joint team. Also there needs to be a quicker method and easier solution and way to reduce the bureaucracy that often harms any critical technology or weapons that we need urgently but rules come in the way.

Most of the imports are down to using foreign products like naval ships and missile, spares, parts, fighter jet, ATGM, missiles, SAM, BMP 2, tanks, naval engines, jet engines, tank engine, IFV engine etc where we can only maintain and sustain those foreign products, parts, ammunition etc by importing them. Instead we should sustain those foreign products by using our own indigenously manufactured parts and requirements in India which will save a lot of money and grow our military industry. This option should only be followed and used until we replace all of those foreign weapons with our own indigenously designed, developed and manufactured weapons.

 

[Sentoki]

Then stop the lip service and start ordering Arjun MK1A, Indian manufactured guns, etc. Of the three services, Army is the most important dependent of all. Their favoritism for importomania is blatant and nauseating.

 

[Bhaskar Ambekar]

Keep on testing and testing of Indian products and rejecting them, then vouch for Imported ones , be it a gun/artillery unit/tank.