In his first meeting with the top brass here on Thursday after assuming charge as the Defence Minister last week, Rajnath Singh was briefed about issues, including Defence acquisitions and procurements, Defence diplomacy and planning activities of recently set up three integrated units, including Cyber Agency, Armed Forces Special Forces Division and Space Agency.
The high-level review of these issues was attended by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and other officials of the ministry besides representation from the three Services.
Since the focus is on to sustain the momentum of modernisation to have operational preparedness to meet the challenge of a two-front war with Pakistan and China, the Minister was apprised of Defence procurement procedures, budget utilisation, present status of procurements and payments along with implications of major deals with countries.
Singh directed officials to seek indigenous solutions for meeting the forces requirements to the extent possible. He also noted the progress under the Strategic Partnership programme, the Defence Ministry officials said later.
The Strategic Partnership programme initiated by the NDA-one Government aims at manufacturing warships, submarines, fighter jets and tanks in India with foreign collaboration. Two projects, including manufacturing nearly 100 helicopters and six submarines, were given the go-ahead some months back under the strategic partnership programme.
He was also briefed regarding Defence co-operation activities with Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs), policy matters pertaining to Defence diplomacy, including bilateral and multi-lateral exercises, capacity building, training and material assistance to FFCs, they said.
With fast changing nature of warfare with extensive use of information technology and space, the Government recently three tri-services units including Special Forces, Cyber and Space Agencies.
Headed by Major General rank officer, these agencies have drawn personnel and resources from three Services for fighting any challenge in an integrated manner. It will enable the military to achieve the military and political objective in the shortest possible time. Against this backdrop, Singh reviewed planning activities of these agencies, officials said.