Defence industry must evolve to meet needs of armed forces: S.K. Saini

NEW DELHI: The Indian defence industry needs to evolve to provide solutions for the protection requirements of armed forces, Indian Army Vice Chief Lieutenant General S.K. Saini said on Saturday.

He said a large number of Indian troops are deployed in super high-altitude areas where the temperature touches - 50 degrees celsius. However, cold-weather equipment is imported.

"...we are still importing cold-weather equipment, mainly due to the lack of viable indigenous solutions," said the Indian Army vice chief stressing that a collaborative effort needs to be put in this field "to fulfil our vision of aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India)."

He as speaking in a webinar organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies over Force Protection India 2020.

Saini said the character of warfare is undergoing a rapid change. The lethality and intensity powered by the latest technologies, the blurring of lines between friends and foes, combatants and civilians - makes it imperative for militaries to adapt to safeguard themselves and succeed in operations.

"While we are well on our way towards modernising and honing our war waging capabilities, protection of our assets is going to be a daunting task. It is a fact that forces and the resources which survive the enemy onslaught, both during peace and war, are the ones which will live to fight another day," he said.

Saini said the first priority is to ensure survivability while retaining the freedom of action to facilitate functioning without impairing operating efficiency. (IANS)

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