Hyderabad (Telangana): Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad on Saturday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government's priority is to modernise the armed forces and meet all their needs only through indigenisation.
"I would like to reiterate that the modernisation of the armed forces is our priority. We would like to fulfil every requirement of the army through indigenisation only," he said.
Singh said that equipment would be imported only if the situation demanded that it was important and was not being manufactured in the country.
Otherwise, the government wanted all weapons to be made in the country, he said.
While addressing the gathering, Singh in his speech strongly criticised terrorism and said, "We have told the world that nothing sort of zero tolerance is acceptable on this matter."
He also maintained that India has been successful in making the world realise that terrorism is equally destructive for everyone.
"People who supported terrorism in the past directly or indirectly, are giving indications that now they want to join the peaceful and democratic system," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
He also said the defence sector would play a key role in making the country a $5 trillion economy through Foreign Direct Investment and offset investment in manufacturing.
Singh appreciated the role played by BDL in the country's defence production capabilities and assured the PSU full support from the government.
He also emphasised that in India, defence forces are not maintained to attack other nations.
"The defence forces work for peace and stability at regional, continental, global levels," he added.
Before his speech, the defence minister also unveiled the statue of Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam at BDL premises in Hyderabad's Kanchanbagh.
