Article Posted on : - Oct 19, 2011

NEW DELHI (PTI): The government remains committed to correct the imbalance in defence acquisition as it is aware of the country's heavy reliance on import of major defence equipment, Indian Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju has said.

"We are still a long way from establishing ourselves as a major defence equipment manufacturing nation with heavy reliance on imports. The government views import of critical capabilities with concern and is committed to correct this imbalance," Raju said Tuesday.

Addressing a seminar on 'Command, Control, Computers, Communication, Intelligence and Information' known as C4I2 Summit-2011 here, Raju stressed on expanding the indigenous defence industrial base to correct this imbalance.

"This imbalance can only be corrected by expansion of indigenous defence industrial base, increasing investment in research and development, identification of core technologies where India is already a lead country, and by promoting private-public partnership," he said.

He dismissed the concept of private and public sector as "potential rivals" and said the competition between the two will pave way for cooperation in defence sector.

"I believe that there is great scope for developing a synchronised complementaries in strengthening and widening the defence industrial base. I am optimistic that competition will give way to cooperation, enabling both to grow as prospective partners in defence industry," Raju said.

He said that the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) prepared by the Defence Ministry looks at the industry as a capable partner for much needed transformation in this sector.

"The offset policy in DPP is sure to provide a fair playing ground to both the public and private sectors leading to an enhanced domestic capability," he said.