Antony tries to speed up Army acquisitions
Service HQ to get more financial powers
Stung by the Army Chief’s recent letter to the Prime Minister, the defence ministry on Monday cleared a slew of proposals, including a 15- year long- term defence plan and a five- year defence plan ( 2012- 2017); as well as major changes in offset policy.
Defence minister A. K. Antony appeared to ask the Army to put its house in order by “directing the Army to streamline its acquisition process in such a manner... that accountability can be fixed in case of any slippage”. In a clear fallout of the letter, in which Gen. V. K. Singh had pointed out to the PM critical shortages of equipment for the Army, the minister expressed support for “del-
The defence ministry cleared a slew of proposals, including a 15- year long- term defence plan and five- year defence plan
egation of more financial powers to the service headquarters”. To ensure faster acquisitions, the minister also wanted the MOD and the Army to examine if it is possible to compress the time taken for technical evaluations and trials.
The minister said he favoured more financial powers for the three service headquarters “if it can lead to speedier acquisition, platforms and systems for the services”. In a day of fast- paced developments, Mr Antony first met the Army Chief, defence secretary, the Mod’s directorgeneral of acquisitions and other top Army officers to “review various issues ( on) acquisitions”.
Later he presided over a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, attended by the three service chiefs — Gen. V. K. Singh, Air Chief Marshal N. A. K. Browne and Adm. Nirmal Verma.
The Confederation of Indian Industry also recommended Monday that the government set up a National Defence Manufacturing Commission under the PMO’S aegis to boost indigenisation.
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