We must minimize our reliance on defence imports to nearly zero: General Manoj Pande
On Wednesday, Army Chief General Manoj Pande underscored the importance of self-reliance in military production, emphasizing the need for the country to domestically source essential equipment like ammunition and enhance its capabilities. Speaking at the Times Now Summit, General Pande stressed the imperative of reducing the country’s import dependency to near zero.
He highlighted that self-reliance would be strategically vital in the future, emphasizing the significance of sourcing sustenance equipment indigenously to avoid being one cycle behind in technology. General Pande emphasized the ongoing efforts towards capability development through Atmanirbharta, citing Exercise Bharat Shakti in Pokhran as an example of demonstrating the robustness of indigenous systems.
General Pande also discussed the evolving nature of warfare, noting that conventional combat alone would no longer determine victory. He highlighted the importance of leveraging niche critical technologies and unmanned weapons efficiently, both domestically and commercially.
Regarding the challenges on the Northern border and the Chinese presence, General Pande assured that the Army remained focused and well-prepared, with a robust system in place. He mentioned the ongoing diplomatic and military talks, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in resolving the issues.
Additionally, he highlighted the Army’s focus on developmental work alongside its preparedness efforts, ensuring a high level of readiness and vigilance across borders.
