Defence Min for new military technologies by private sector

Hyderabad, Apr 13 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today urged the private sector to play a greater role in the development of contemporary military technologies.

''The UPA Government is in the process of implementing the first part of the recomendations of the Vijoy Kelkar Committee report to facilitate more cooperation with the private sector, Mr Mukherjee, who was here in connection with the valedictory function at the College of Defence Management, told reporters.

Private players like Larsen&Toubro and the Tatas were already involved in the process of developing new defence technologies, he said, adding that the second part of the Committee recommendations were under examination.

However, the Minister noted that after the defence sector was thrown open to the private sector by the previous NDA Government, not much progress had been achieved yet on defence cooperation.

The Centre would shortly set up a College of Industrial Resource Management as part of the Indian National Defence University, he said.

Earlier, delivering the valedictory address, he said in a climate of global insecurity, development of indigenous combat capability was a prerequisite. Strategic partnership and fostering long term industrial relationships would set the pace for defence and industry to explore and develop, leading to self reliance, he added.

He wanted the private sector to be responsive to the needs of the Armed Forces and develop contemporary military technology.

Commending the CDM for making sizable contribution in educating senior leaders in disaster management, Mr Mukherjee said the Armed Forces, which were in the forefront in any confict, had demonstrated their humane interface during disasters. ''Our Armed Forces have extened their reach as far as Pakistan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka in times of diasters.

Making it clear that India did not not have any territorial ambitions at the cost of others, he said ''We want to live in peace with our neighbours.'' ''The nation is confident that our defence forces will continue to provie this security and ensure an environment of peace, so essential for our development.'' On his maiden visit to the CDM, the Defence Minister distributed Degree of Master of Management Studies by the Osmania University and a certificate of Advanced Course in Management by the All India Management Association to 92 selected Armed Forces officers, including one each from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Botswana.

UNI