India will win wars in the future with indigenous weapons: Defence Chief Bipin Rawat

New Delhi: – Defence Chief Bipin Rawat expressed confidence that India will win future wars with the weapons made in India. The Defence Chief said that he is convinced about this, looking at the work being carried out at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Defence Chief expressed an expectation that private companies in the country are taking an interest in manufacturing weapons and defence equipment. They need to be encouraged. Moreover, DRDO should cooperate with these companies.

The Defence Chief was speaking at a function organised by the DRDO. He expressed satisfaction that the defence forces have become self-reliant, due to work carried out by the DRDO over the last few years. General Rawat said that the self-reliance of the defence forces is vital while facing the security challenges posed in front of the country. If DRDO continues with is the speed of development, India will win all the future wars with indigenous weapons.

General Rawat said that the country was facing a security challenge on the western and northern border of the country, without a direct mention of China and Pakistan. In this scenario, the private companies desirous of entering into weapons and defence equipment manufacturing must connect with the DRDO. He also expected hope that DRDO will develop new weapons and defence systems and encourage the private players to manufacture them.

The decision to purchase defence equipment worth nearly ₹300 billion was taken in the meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). 90% of these weapons and defence equipment will be under the Make in India Scheme. The Defence Chief praised the DRDO, saying that it will be playing an important role in this. Only a day ago, it was announced that A-320S Air India airplanes would be converted into surveillance aircraft. DRDO plans to install AWACS systems on six such aircraft. These efforts of the DRDO become significant, in view of the challenges posed by both China and Pakistan.