Military in all readiness with ammo: Nirmala Sitharaman

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday that the defence wings of India are in all readiness as far as ammunition is concerned. Sitharaman was speaking at a symposium held in Ahmedabad on 'India's National Security and Importance of Rafale Deal'.

Answering citizens' queries, Sitharaman said, "The defence wings of India are in readiness for sure. We have made an item-wise purchase of all ammunition. Vice Chief of the defence wings was given the power to purchase ammunition to fulfil all shortages after our government was established at the Centre."

Sitharaman also elaborated on ammunition of the latest technology that is to be inducted into the military in a short time. She said, "36 Rafale jets would come in September this year, two Project 1135.6 frigates for India would come from Russia and two more such frigates will be assembled in the Goa shipyard. SO-100 air defence system will also be inducted soon, increasing operational readiness of the Indian Air Force."

Sitharaman skipped the question over a befitting counter to Pakistan over the Pulwama attack but said that PM Narendra Modi has already said that the Army chief will decide a time for the same.

Sitharaman also alleged that the UPA government never utilised the defence budget for procurement of ammunition and technology that was required for defence.

"IAF did not have a technologically advanced aircraft. Latest guns were inducted in the Army when our government came in 2014. After Bofors, no gun was inducted in a 30-year-span. They complained about the budget but there was sufficient money with the ministry. Defence procurement had come to a grinding halt during the UPA government," the defence minister said.

She also said that people should elect the government which prioritises national security, which the BJP and PM Modi do.

Before her address, Sitharaman met ex-servicemen in Ahmedabad. She listened to their grievances regarding issues such as delayed pension payment orders, no allotment of land by Gujarat government, no implementation of reservation for ex-servicemen in government jobs in the state, among others, and assured them of solutions.

Addressing Grievances

Before her address, Sitharaman met ex-servicemen in Ahmedabad and listened to their grievances regarding issues such as delayed pension payment orders, no allotment of land by the state, no implementation of reservation for ex-servicemen in government jobs in the state, among others, and assured them of solutions.