New Delhi, November 11
The Indian Armed Forces — the Army, the Navy and the IAF — today gave Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar an overview of their war preparedness besides listing their immediate requirements, especially shortage of fighter jets, artillery guns and submarines.

The Army has not inducted a new artillery gun since 1987 when the Bofors was drafted into the arsenal; no new submarine, other than a nuclear vessel leased from Russia, has been inducted in 15 years; while the fighter jet numbers are dwindling and a decision is pending on inducting a new lot of planes to maintain air supremacy.

Parrikar was briefed by top ministry officials as well as the three Service Chiefs on acquisition proposals and processes, besides requirements at the boundary, including that with China.

The Defence Minister was given an understanding on the dynamics of the Line of Actual Control work and how patrolling was done.

Defence Secretary RK Mathur gave the first detailed briefing to the new minister, who took charge yesterday. During the two-hour briefing, Parrikar was given an overview of the structures and functions of various departments under the ministry.

The minister, who arrived at 8.30 am, was also given a briefing on the acquisition process, ministry sources said, adding that specific projects were not discussed in detail. Parrikar had yesterday stressed that the acquisition process under him would be transparent but fast.

The defence acquisition process had slowed down and defence deals were often seen to be mired in corruption.

The briefing by the Defence Secretary was followed by that of the Army which took place inside the Military Operation room in the South Block.

During this briefing, where Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag was also present, Parrikar was given an overall view of the force’s operation, requirements and issues at the boundary, the sources said.

In the Naval Operation room, Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan briefed Parrikar on overseas deployment and Navy’s efforts in the Indian Ocean and the outreach in South China Sea.