Rajnath Singh: Russia-Ukraine war shows self-reliance is vital

New Delhi, April 28: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the ongoing Russia- Ukraine conflict highlighted that being self-reliant without dependencies is a vital necessity. He was addressing the Indian Navy’s top brass during the Naval Commanders’ Conference in which the Navy conducted a thorough review of the country’s overall maritime security, performance of weapons and an analysis of the security implications post the Russia Ukraine war. “Coming to the prevailing security environment in the world. The ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict has once again highlighted that being self-reliant without dependencies is a vital necessity. Indian Navy, which has been at the forefront of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative must continue to lead the way and remain a necessary guarantor of India’s Maritime Trade, Security and National Prosperity,” he said. It is believed that the top naval commanders have drawn tactical lessons from the Russia Ukraine war during the Naval Commanders’ Conference. The minister expressed happiness that “the Navy has re-invested over 64 per cent of its Capital budget into our own economy.” I am told that the percentage share of modernization budget is bound to grow up to 70 per cent towards indigenous procurement, in this current financial year, he said. “All-out efforts need to be made so that the first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant is delivered and commissioned in the 75th year of our Independence. This would be a fitting tribute to the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,” the minister said adding that the delivery of the indigenous aircraft carrier would be “a milestone event.” The ship has successfully completed three successful sea trials and it is set to be commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2022- the 75th year of Indian independence. Keeping in mind that rival China is building a third aircraft carrier for PLA-Navy, India needs a minimum of two aircraft carriers to project dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. The defence minister also expressed happiness that out of 41 ships and submarines which are on order, 39 are being built in Indian shipyards and urged top naval leadership to ensure that the nation’s maritime power grows in tandem with the country’s economic interests. “I urge the senior leadership to maintain their focus on futuristic capability development, to ensure that the nation’s maritime power grows in tandem with our economic interests,” he said. Rajnath also applauded the Indian Navy for appointing women officers onboard frontline ships and ship borne flights. The Navy would also be inducting women cadets through National Defence Academy from June this year, he said. The four-day Commanders’ Conference focussed on addressing the contemporary security paradigms while seeking ways to enhance combat capability of the Navy and make operations more effective and efficient. A detailed review of the performance of weapons and sensors, readiness of Indian Navy platforms, ongoing Naval projects – with focus on ways to enhance indigenization was also undertaken by the Commanders during the four-day conference. The Conference is a platform for top naval brass to discuss important maritime matters at the military-strategic level as well as interact with senior government functionaries through an institutionalized forum. (UNI)