In an effort to bring greater transparency in the purchase of military hardware, the government on Wednesday asked the top brass of the country?s defence services to ?change mindsets.?
?The urgent need of the hour is to change mindsets, in tune with the changing times where transparency and fairness are the buzzwords,? defence minister AK Antony said while addressing the Combined Commander?s conference.
Measures such as institutionalising the defence planning process and refining defence procurement procedure ?have added urgency in the methodology and transparency in functioning?, Antony said.
?Another instrument towards change is the delegation of powers and transition towards fusion of authority, responsibility and accountability,? he added. The daylong conference was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and was attended by top officials of all three armed forces.
Pointing out that ?significant financial powers? had been delegated from the defence ministry to the headquarters of the three services, the minister said, ?However, it must be ensured that these powers are put to best use.? On integration of the three services, Antony said this ?is not merely a desire, but an urgent need of the hour?.
?It is a process that is destined to grow. Synergy can produce only better results than individual efforts,? the minister added. According to the minister the challenges the armed forces faced today was counter-terrorism.
?Terrorism continues to be one of the major challenges facing us. As terrorists constantly modernise their communication network, there is an urgent need to continuously upgrade our own capabilities to successfully counter the threat posed by them.
In his address, the minister pointed out that the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast has shown steady signs of improvement. Referring to the security scenario in the neighbourhood and internationally, he said India?s role and responsibilities ?are bound to increase? as the country developed ?as a regional and an economic superpower?.
?As trans-border threats change in nature and scope, nations are becoming increasingly inter-dependent,? the minister maintained. ?In today?s world, there is a need to carefully monitor the international environment and formulate flexible response options to emerging situations.?
