I think we are fit for war, says Manohar Parrikar

Maroosha Muzaffar Friday, March 13, 2015

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar acknowledged that there is need for chief of defence staff for a better integration between the two forces and also promised to work out a mechanism soon. Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Parrikar said, "At present, there is no integration mechanism that exists between three forces and there is lot of infighting among them." Both Parrikar and former Army chief general Bikram Singh, who were present at the dias, agreed that there are some critical areas on preparedness of armed forces which needs attention. There was a family in my neighborhood who used to make a lot of noise and create nuisance. I was studying in IIT and when I came back, my mother told me about this neighbour. I figured out that he was alcoholic. I met the person who used to supply him liquor and asked him to make my neighbor stay at the place where he used to consume liquor for long. Parrikar said while referring to question on how to handle your neighbors -- China and Pakistan. I will recommend a mechanism for the creation of the post of chief of defence staff. Force integration and overlap will also save us money: Manohar Parrikar We should be prepared that the neighbours don't think of war. We should build yourself to a level that neighbours don't take "panga" with us: Manohar Parrikar Equipment wise, lot of improvement needs to be done: Manohar Parrikar Current helicopter accident rate is .39 per cent in the 5 years per 10,000 hours of flying: Manohar Parrikar 93 per cent accidents that took pace since 1986, 62 per cent of them are due to human error, and only 23 per cent are due to technical failure: Manohar Parrikar Due to blacklisting of private companies in the past, a lot of procurement has suffered: Manohar Parrikar Currently there are a number of issues. Present mechanism is tardy: General Bikram Singh The quality of ammunition is a problem: General Bikram Singh (Source- India Today Conclave 2015 - The world remade)