Focus on indigenisation of weaponry: JJ to defence production units

Bangalore, May 27 (UNI) Chief of Army Staff, General J J Singh today urged the Indian defence production units to focus more on indigenisation of weapons and warfare systems to enhance the country's self-reliance, keeping in tune with its rising status in the world.

Speaking after the flagging off ceremony of the newly manufactured state-of-the-art Bogie Flat Arjun Tank (BFAT) by the Bharat Earth Mover Limited (BEML) here, he said the Army was capable of facing any aggression if challenged to protect the country's frontiers. ''Our soldiers will bring victory irrespective of circumstance,'' he said.

The Indian Army, third largest in the world, was very much prepared to tackle any situation, he added.

Complimenting the BEML, which had built the modern BFAT in a record time, the General said for the benefit of Army personnel BEML had been producing vehicles, rolling stocks and other equipment, like floating bridges, and was helping in its own way to protect the interests of the nobletask of protecting the country and the Army's endevour to 'fight-to-win for the nation'.

Speaking on the occasion BEML Chairman and Managing Director V R S Natarajan informed that the BEML had received an order to supply 336 BFAT carriage wagons.

The company had also received an order for the supply of 1400 TATRA trucks, worth over Rs 600 crore, the Chairman added.

UNI MV VK VJ VC1720