M A I N   N E W S

Def deals to be fast-tracked: Parrikar
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 10
India's new Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today started off with the promise of being ‘transparent and fast’ in his approach while adhering to the much-needed ‘make in India’ thrust in defence equipment manufacturing.

Manohar Parrikar takes charge as Defence Minister. Tribune photo

He expressed the confidence of taking forward Arun Jaitley’s works in the ministry. “I am confident of taking them ahead with speed,” Parrikar said after taking over as the 36th defence minister of the country. He succeeded Jaitley, who has had a five-month tenure as defence minister. Parrikar, who resigned as Chief Minister of Goa, narrated his style on removing corruption in defence deals: “Whatever will be there will be transparent and will be a fast process that is one of my specialities”.

He was candid that he needed time to understand the complexities of the ministry: "I am coming from a state though there (is) good exposure, the type of requirement at the national level may be different in connotation, level and class... let me get a grip of the situation and let me understand all aspects”. He expressed concern at the sinking of Naval ship on Thursday last off the coast of Visakhapatnam and mentioned earlier explosions on submarines.

On being asked about PM Narendra Modi’s ‘make in India’ mantra, Parrikar, who is an alumnus of IIT Bombay, said: “As much as possible we should manufacture in India. Any country with good defence manufacturing base can come up economically and generate employment”.

The new defence minister will have his hands full. The demarcation of the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China is pending. The issue has been pushed forward after the Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meeting in New Delhi in September.

The dynamics of the Indian Ocean and the power play between New Delhi and Beijing in finding a military toe-hold in several smaller nations has the making of a ‘rivalry’. India’s new thrust of engaging more intently with Japan and Vietnam – both have running disputes with China -- may pan out in various ways. International forces are set to move out of Afghanistan in December and that will change the dynamics in Kashmir.

Apart from that, Parrikar will need to focus on revamping the lackadaisical process for acquiring new weapons, aircraft, warships, submarines and artillery guns.

Domestic defence production base needs to be built upon. Focus should be on the locally produced equipment like the LCA - Tejas fighter aircraft, Arjun tanks, under-production 155 MM artillery guns and Shivalik-class warships. Emphasis must be on joint production. A decision is awaited on the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). India is seeking drawings and designs of the engine which Russia is reluctant to share.

The US has offered co-development of military products, which is being considered. Power projection in the Indian Ocean will need greater thrust by way of adding sea vessels and specialised surveillance planes.

The INS Vikrant, the indigenous aircraft carrier, is under-construction since 2009 while its follow-on ship needs to be scheduled for construction. No conventional diesel-electric powered submarine has been produced in 15 years. The six under construction at the Mazagon docks, Mumbai, need tighter time schedules.

The Artillery gun purchase programme has not moved an inch and no new gun has been purchased since the late 1980s. The Ordnance Factory Board’s 155 MM replica of the Bofors holds promise and can be made the standard artillery gun.