Defence Minister A K Antony said that India's neighbours are building military capabilities at a feverish” pace and the country needs to be vigilant and prepared .Without naming anyone, he said some nations are keen to incite threats to India's unity and integrity and stressed the need for securing the country's land, air and sea borders in view of the current security scenario.Speaking at the Field Marshal K M Carriappa Memorial Lecture organised by the Army, in New Delhi, Mr Antony regretted defence procurement delays over the last two decades due to kickback scandals and said that the government is trying to change the situation through its defence production policy that is aimed at curbing corruption in defence deals. Mr Antony said even with a large industrial infrastructure the Government is still importing about 70 per cent of the defence requirements which is not a healthy one and the ministry has to find a solution to this at the earliest.He said that the government, from now, will try to buy defence equipment from the domestic market in areas in which India can produce them internally within the required time frame.
News On AIR | October 7, 2010 11:08 AM
Neighbours building military capabilities at feverish pace: Antony