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Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Peace-time an illusion, must stay ready for uncertainty: Rajnath Singh
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said peace-time is nothing but an illusion and the country must stay prepared for uncertainty, adding that the performance of locally made weapons and systems during Operation Sindoor has spurred the global demand for India-made military hardware. Defence minister Rajnath Singh addresses the Controllers' Conference of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI) 'Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture. Whether it's stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all times,' he said, addressing the Controllers' Conference of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD). Operation Sindoor was New Delhi's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. A locally developed air defence control and reporting system, called Akashteer, emerged as the centrepiece of India's air defence grid during the four-day clash; it punctured multiple waves of Pakistani aerial attacks on Indian military installations, airbases and civilian areas by guaranteeing prompt detection and targeting of the incoming threats. The locally produced military hardware that packed a formidable punch during the confrontation with Pakistan included Akash surface-to-air missiles, the Samar (surface-to-air missile for assured retaliation) system, loitering munitions and several counter-drone weapons. 'The world is looking at our defence sector with new respect. A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness,' Singh said. Most of the equipment India once imported is now being manufactured locally, he said. 'Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level. Our effort is to ensure that decisions are taken swiftly so that we can begin manufacturing larger (jet) engines right here in India.' In April, Singh said manufacturing aero engines remains a challenge for India and the country is in talks with global firms to develop the critical capability to power fighter planes, drawing attention to a striking technology gap and steps being taken to overcome it. India is in talks with global engine makers such as Safran, GE Aerospace and Rolls Royce to build domestic capabilities. A derivative of the indigenous Kaveri engine, initially planned for fighter planes, is being developed to power armed drones. Highlighting the increasing strategic and economic significance of the defence sector, he called for a shift in perception from defence spending as mere expenditure to an economic investment with multiplier impact. 'Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers,' he said, adding that India, along with the rest of the world, is entering a new phase of re-armament, marked by capital-intensive investments in the defence sector. Even small errors in the DAD's processes can have consequences, Singh said. 'At the place where you are working, if you make even a small mistake, then the soldiers do not get the necessary resources on time. Due to our negligence, there can be a problem in budget allocation and it directly affects operational readiness.'
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Peace time is nothing but 'illusion': Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
'Peace time is nothing but an 'illusion,' and India must remain prepared for uncertainty even during periods of relative calm,' Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while hailing the armed forces for the valour they displayed during Operation Sindoor. In an address at an event, Mr. Singh said the performance of the indigenously built equipment and platforms in the operation increased the global demand for India-built military products. "The world is looking at our defence sector with new respect. A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness," he said. "Most of the equipment we once imported is now being made in India. Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level," he said. The Defence Minister was addressing the Controllers' Conference of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD). "A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness," he said, and called on the DAD to evolve from a "controller" to a "facilitator" in sync with increasing participation of the private sector in defence. Delving into the larger geopolitical situation, the Defence Minister cited an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which said the global military expenditure reached $2.7 trillion in 2024. 'This opens up tremendous opportunities for India's indigenous defence industries,' he said. The Defence Minister praised the DAD's new motto "Alert, Agile, Adaptive" and noted that these are not mere words, but a reflection of the work culture required in today's rapidly evolving defence environment. He urged officials to undertake internal reform through self-introspection, rather than relying solely on external audits or consultants. "Improvements made through internal evaluation create living organisations. These reforms are more organic, with fewer barriers. Peace time is nothing but an illusion. Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture," he said. Defence Acquisition Council clears ₹1.05 lakh crore indigenous deals in first meeting after Operation Sindoor "Whether it's stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all times," he said. He urged the DAD to incorporate this mindset into their planning, budgeting and decision-making systems. Highlighting the increasing strategic and economic significance of the defence sector, Mr. Singh called for a shift in perception from defence spending as mere expenditure to an economic investment with multiplier impact. "Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers," he added. Mr. Singh said India, along with the rest of the world, is entering a new phase of re-armament, marked by capital-intensive investments in the defence sector. The Defence Minister called upon the DAD to incorporate defence economics in their planning and assessments, including social impact analysis of R&D projects and dual-use technologies.
Economic Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Peace time is nothing but 'illusion': Rajnath Singh
ANI Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Peace time is nothing but an "illusion", and India must remain prepared for uncertainty even during periods of relative calm, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while hailing the armed forces for the valour they displayed during Operation an address at an event, Singh said the performance of the indigenously built equipment and platforms in the operation increased the global demand for India-built military products."The world is looking at our defence sector with new respect. A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness," he said."Most of the equipment we once imported is now being made in India. Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level," he said. The defence minister was addressing the Controllers' Conference of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD). "A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness," he said, and called on the DAD to evolve from a "controller" to a "facilitator" in sync with increasing participation of the private sector in into the larger geopolitical situation, the defence minister cited an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which said the global military expenditure reached USD 2.7 trillion in opens up tremendous opportunities for India's indigenous defence industries, he defence minister praised the DAD's new motto "Alert, Agile, Adaptive" and noted that these are not mere words, but a reflection of the work culture required in today's rapidly evolving defence urged officials to undertake internal reform through self-introspection, rather than relying solely on external audits or consultants. "Improvements made through internal evaluation create living organisations. These reforms are more organic, with fewer barriers. "Peace time is nothing but an illusion. Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture," he said."Whether it's stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all times," he urged the DAD to incorporate this mindset into their planning, budgeting and decision-making the increasing strategic and economic significance of the defence sector, Singh called for a shift in perception from defence spending as mere expenditure to an economic investment with multiplier impact. "Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers," he added. Singh said India, along with the rest of the world, is entering a new phase of re-armament, marked by capital-intensive investments in the defence sector. The defence minister called upon the DAD to incorporate defence economics in their planning and assessments, including social impact analysis of R&D projects and dual-use technologies.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Peace time is nothing but 'illusion': Rajnath Singh
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Peace time is nothing but an "illusion", and India must remain prepared for uncertainty even during periods of relative calm, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while hailing the armed forces for the valour they displayed during Operation Sindoor In an address at an event, Singh said the performance of the indigenously built equipment and platforms in the operation increased the global demand for India-built military products."The world is looking at our defence sector with new respect. A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness," he said."Most of the equipment we once imported is now being made in India. Our reforms are succeeding because of the clarity of vision and commitment at the highest level," he defence minister was addressing the Controllers' Conference of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD)."A single delay or error in financial processes can directly affect operational preparedness," he said, and called on the DAD to evolve from a "controller" to a "facilitator" in sync with increasing participation of the private sector in into the larger geopolitical situation , the defence minister cited an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which said the global military expenditure reached USD 2.7 trillion in opens up tremendous opportunities for India's indigenous defence industries , he defence minister praised the DAD's new motto "Alert, Agile, Adaptive" and noted that these are not mere words, but a reflection of the work culture required in today's rapidly evolving defence urged officials to undertake internal reform through self-introspection, rather than relying solely on external audits or consultants. "Improvements made through internal evaluation create living organisations. These reforms are more organic, with fewer barriers."Peace time is nothing but an illusion. Even during periods of relative calm, we must prepare for uncertainty. Sudden developments can force a complete shift in our financial and operational posture," he said."Whether it's stepping up equipment production or adapting financial processes, we must be ready with innovative techniques and responsive systems at all times," he urged the DAD to incorporate this mindset into their planning, budgeting and decision-making the increasing strategic and economic significance of the defence sector, Singh called for a shift in perception from defence spending as mere expenditure to an economic investment with multiplier impact."Until recently, defence budgets were not seen as part of the national economy. Today, they are growth drivers," he said India, along with the rest of the world, is entering a new phase of re-armament, marked by capital-intensive investments in the defence defence minister called upon the DAD to incorporate defence economics in their planning and assessments, including social impact analysis of R&D projects and dual-use technologies.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembers Captain Vikram Batra on his Balidan Diwas, calls him a glorious example
New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembered Captain Vikram Batra on his Balidan Diwas and called him a glorious example of bravery and sacrifice. He posted on his X account, 'Remembering the supreme sacrifice made by Captain Vikram Batra on his Balidan Diwas. His unmatched bravery and sacrifice during the Kargil War remain a glorious example of courage in the service of the nation. My tributes to him on his 'Balidan Diwas'.' Captain Vikram Batra was a brave officer of the Indian Army who fought in the 1999 Kargil War. On 7 July 1999, Captain Batra was hit by enemy fire and was martyred. For his bravery, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour. Every year, 7 July is celebrated as Balidan Diwas to honour his sacrifice. Meanwhile, the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) will host the Controllers' Conference 2025 from July 7 to 9 at the Dr SK Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, which will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on July 7. The conference will be inaugurated in the presence of top military and civilian leadership including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Financial Adviser (Defence Services), S G Dastidar, and Controller General of Defence Accounts Mayank Sharma, marking it as a key platform for shaping the future of India's defence financial architecture said Ministry of Defence. A flagship forum for policy dialogue, strategic review, and institutional innovation, the Controllers' Conference brings together top leadership from DAD, the civil service, academia, think tanks, and stakeholders across the defence and finance sectors. It serves as a vital platform for evaluating challenges, initiating reform, and advancing the role of financial governance in defence preparedness. The theme of this year's conference, 'Transforming Financial Advice, Payment, Audit and Accounting through Defence Finance and Economics,' reflects a paradigm shift within the department, repositioning DAD from a finance & accounts body to a future-ready institution focused on Defence Finance and Economics. This transformation, guided by the strategic vision articulated by the Raksha Mantri on October 01, 2024, is internally driven, inclusive, and aligned with emerging national security imperatives. The transition is anchored in DAD's new mission statement and Motto 'Alert, Agile, Adaptive' which will be formally released during the event. (ANI)
