Smruti D

Delivering a special address at the International Conference on Small Arms, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) VAdm. R. Hari Kumar said that to meet urgent requirements, self-reliance in the production of small arms was fundamentally necessary for the nation in the long run.

The welcome panel at the FICCI and CENJOWS-organised International Conference on Small Arms

Emphasising upon strategic autonomy, he said, “It is essential that the basic weapons are manufactured here. So, for true strategic autonomy and self-reliance, we, the users, the academia, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), public and private sectors must act with synergy and resolve to develop state-of-the art technology.” He added how defence personnel were interested in developing the product in the country with the production facilities, supply and support as key to manufacturing.

According to him, the current security environment of India required military forces to be prepared to handle a wide spectrum of challenges, both, conventional, non-conventional and asymmetric. To effectively meet these, personnel need to be equipped with state-of-the-art small arms. This would considerably increase combat efficiency, confidence and m