The current economic slowdown would not hurt the modernisation programme of India's armed forces in any way, Defence Minister A K Antony said today and also announced the government's willingness to spend more on Defence Research and Development.
Antony, responding to Air Chief Marshal F H Major who spoke earlier stressing on defence modernisation at an international seminar here, said, "We will provide you what ever you want to safeguard India's national interests."
The minister categorically said that the economic slowdown would not affect modernisation of the armed forces.
But he said the country is "far far away" from Jawaharlal Nehru's dream of India becoming self-reliant in the defence sector. He also pointed out that only 30 per cent of India's defence needs are met within the country, while 70 per cent are imported.
He said that a country like India, which boasts of the "fourth largest scientific group" and is "growing like anything", depending on foreign sources for most defence items is "not suitable for us".
Antony said he feels "guilty" that growth -- as far as indigenous development and production of defence items are concerned -- is "very, very slow".
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