Expressing concern over “slow pace” of acquisition of weapons systems, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday that the Government will make efforts to hasten the procurement process despite “pressure on economy.” He also hinted that the armed forces may get more funds in the forthcoming Budget.
Talking to media persons after attending the Naval Commanders’ Conference, Jaitley said the slow pace of acquisition emerged as the main focus of deliberation. “The entire resource of the country, notwithstanding various pressures, has to make available a significant amount for defence of the country,” he said.
He said the forces were concerned about fulfilling their requirement for weapon systems and the process should be expedited. “The effort of the Government would be to work in that direction,” Jaitley said adding there are several decisions in the pipeline.The Navy has several acquisition projects pending for long including the Rs6,000 crore 16 multirole helicopter project and torpedoes for the Scorpene submarines. The process of floating global tender for procuring six new submarines under Project-75 India is also pending.
Ruling out a full review of the defence acquisition process which often leads to delays, the Minister said acquisitions can be hastened under the present procedures and “every file need not move up and down indefinite number of times.”
On several procurement cases like the acquisition of attack helicopters for the IAF, which were in the final stages, but not inked by the UPA Government, Jaitley said, “I am not treating this as adversarial between previous and this Government. This is an issue of national priority and I would be emphasising on that.”
He hinted that demand of the armed forces for more funds in the budget was likely to be accepted as the “entire resource of the country, notwithstanding various pressures, has to make available a significant amount for those in defence of the country”.“The key subject matter of concern appears to be the slow pace of acquisition of whatever equipment and assets are required. The Navy has highlighted that....Hope of the forces is that their requirements should be fulfilled and the process should also be expedited. The effort of the government would be to work in that direction,” Jaitley said.
Asked if the commanders’ conference discussed the issue of mishaps involving naval assets, Jaitley replied in negative.