New Delhi: Voicing “concern” over the “slow pace of defence acquisitions” highlighted for him by the Indian Navy on Tuesday, defence minister Arun Jaitley indicated the government will move ahead with expediting defence acquisitions, adding that a “significant amount” (of funds) “has to be available” for the nation’s defence.
Mr Jaitley is also finance minister, and his remarks are seen as significant, possibly indicating a significant hike in the defence allocation in the coming Union Budget.
The minister said expediting defence acquisitions was possible even within the current rules, indicating crucial defence acquisition files “need not be” repeatedly moved up and down. The Navy is suffering from a critical shortage of submarines and also wants multi-role helicopters quickly.
“Taking note of the capability shortfall of conventional submarines, ship-borne helicopters, mine counter-measure vessels and other weapons and sensors in the Navy, Mr Jaitley said all efforts will be made to ensure operational preparedness,” the Navy said in a statement later.
The acute shortage of submarines has reached a point of criticality. The Navy wants to start the long-delayed acquisition process for six second-line submarines with air independent propulsion technology.
Speaking to reporters after interacting with senior officers at the naval commanders’ conference here, Mr Jaitley said, “The entire resources of the country, notwithstanding various pressures, has to make available a significant amount for the defence of the country.”
He said: “The key matter of concern appears to be the slow pace of acquisitions of whatever equipment and assets are required. The Navy has highlighted that... The hope of the forces is that their requirements should be fulfilled and the process be expedited. The effort of the government would be to work in that direction.”
Mr Jaitley, also the finance minister, said the current economic situation is a “challenging time”, and said the government is taking whatever steps are necessary to restore investor confidence.
