Self-reliance in defence need of hour: Antony

New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today cautioned Defence PSUs against over-dependence on imports saying it could create problems in times of crisis.

Speaking at Defence Minister's Awards for Excellence for 2006-07, Mr Antony said Presently we are importing as much as 70 per cent of our defence equipment which no other major power in the world does.

''We are among the top ten leading economies in the world. But the import of such large proportion of defence equipment can one day create problems for us,'' he said adding that at times foreign suppliers can dictate terms and for this ''we should achieve self-reliance to the optimum''.

Stating that this overdependence needed to be removed, Mr Antony opined that there was a need to modernise plants, update technology and cut delay in deliveries.

''Unless modernisation takes place, management techniques change for the better, plans are updated, we induct more technology, there will be delays in delivery, our plans will be already outdated by the time we implement them.'' Congratulating Defence PSUs and Ordnance Factories for their dedicated and sincere efforts in making the country self-reliant in the defence sector, the Defence Minister said constant endeavours in the same direction were the need of the hour.

''We need to optimise the synergy levels between the public and the private sector to create a comparative defence technology edge and strengthen the defence industrial base of our country.'' UNI AN PK VC2012