Preparation, best defence, says Arun Jaitley

HYDERABAD: Union defence minister Arun Jaitley advocated preparedness as the best form of defence to face multiple threats surrounding the country. There is no area that we can leave uncovered, he said, pointing out that the defence sector is on top of the list when it came to highest expenditure of the present government.

India is located at a place where it faces multiple threats and if the current geopolitical situation is taken into account, preparedness is the key, the defence minister said in his address at BDL, Kanchanbagh, after participating in a slew of programmes there and at Midhani on Sunday.

Jaitley: Boost for Defence manufacture
Mr Jaitley said that the Navy was the proud owner of four long range surface-to-air missiles, an advanced combat suit for missile defence against air targets, missiles and full capabilities of air and surface surveillance, threat alert and fire control.

He said the Centre was focusing on giving a big push to defence manufacturing. “Earlier, the defence manufacturing policy relied on the public sector alone. The private sector is being involved and outside expertise is being sought for some projects. The government invites private firms with specialisation in this defence manufacturing sector to work with government along with their foreign partners,” he said.

Mr Jaitley said India had several advantages like a large skilled workforce dealing in research and development in science and technology, and the tag of the fastest growing economy in the world. The government was giving top priority to the defence sector so it is no surprise that research and development centres are keen on shifting to India, he said.