‘Focus on critical military equipment’

We have not done something new. To say that there is something wrong here, to create suspicion in the minds of people, is absolutely motivated.

Are you happy with the output and the progress by Indian stateowned manufacturers? Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has been working on the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas for years.

Well, more can be done. In missile and missile-related matters we have progressed so much that today we are the envy of so many countries. We are also scaling up production of those.

Now, regarding parts, for several of our platforms, and some re-engineering, we have made some progress although we still import a lot of our spare parts from Russia.

As regards maintenance and operations and refits, we have made progress although we are still dependant on other powers when it comes to aircraft.

On shipbuilding, on submarine building, warship building, coastal surveillance or small vessel building, we have both public and private sector. The capacities have really been scaled up and the skill sets, hi-tech skill sets, have been acquired. Today we can produce every kind of vessel that you need for coastal and deepsea activity. On aircraft, the LCA has been tested and appreciated by most people, but my grievance there has been that we don’t produce as many was we want. On that I’ve had several meetings with HAL. We are working to see if we can scale up the production…

What is the problem there?

When you want to produce with your existing capacities, you can only produce so much. In order to give them the assurance that we are going to take whatever they produce, we already gave HAL the orders. Orders for 43 or 83 later have all been given. In spite of that…. But being a public sector undertaking also means limitations in terms of recruitment, investment. So we are now sitting with HAL to see how we can boost that capacity. Within HAL, and also with the help of HAL, elsewhere. The same with the production of helicopters.

You spoke of getting spare parts from Russia. There’s a threat to it now because of the US CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversa ries Through Sanctions Act). How will you be able to get around this? Almost 64% of our defence imports last year were from Russia.

Over the decades we have had this relationship with Russia; many platforms and many vectors have been bought from them. Even today they supply us. We have never had any difficulty in getting supplies from them. And we wish to continue because these are actively used assets. I’m glad that both the US defence secretary and foreign secretary have spoken in a language that clearly indicates that India has to be given a waiver (from CAATSA for defence imports from Russia). We are grateful that they have recognised the issue. When the house armed forces committee had come, I told them very clearly that India’s procurement of arms from Russia isn’t yesterday’s or today’s business; it’s been going on for decades.

There seems to be some reorientation in terms of how the planning and coordinating is happening in the defence ministry with the creation of committees such as the DRDO Science and Technology Management Council and the Defence Planning Committee…

The defence minister’s operative directives guide all our defence and defence-related activities. The committees are for different purposes. For instance, the one that will be relevant to Tejas (the LCA); Tejas will be the first case looked at by this committee…which is being formed. (This committee will look at) why products being made by PSUS cost more than what the OEMS are giving us. The same thing, when an OEM gives us, comes for far less than when the OEM gives us the technology and we manufacture it.

There is another committee that is looking at the status of all projects over ~500 crore that have been on for several years.

There’s also this DRDO Council; they do a lot of activities. On missiles, I’ve told you about the progress, but what about other areas. Artificial Intelligence, for example. What’s the progress? Many of these committees feed into the larger ops directives in order to better implement them.

What’s the status on cantonments? There are reports that the army will scrap all cantonments.

We have rebutted that. I haven’t seen any such proposal. After several MPS representing cantonments approached me saying that many of these roads (in cantonments) being shut (to others) is causing problems… .

I must say that much to my surprise, many of those roads were closed without a reason, or following proper procedure. The procedure involves that locals are consulted, that local cantonment boards are kept informed. Some of those roads have been closed for decades.

My attempt, based on letters from elected reps, was only to make sure that if you have to close, do so only after following due process. But open them first. Then follow process.

Moving on to politics, what’s your sense on the 2019 elections? There’s a grouping that’s slowly taking shape to oppose you.

Jaitley-ji has come out with a Facebook post asking whether what’s happening in Karnataka where (chief minister HD) Kumaraswamy is coming out and shedding tears about being part of a coalition – is that a preview of what’s going to happen in this country in 2019? Or do we want decisive leadership? This country has seen what kind of effort Prime Minister Modi has put in over the last four years. People may want lots more; all of us may want lots more, but has there been any sitting back and allowing things (to slide)? No. he has actually touched every aspect of our society and economy to see if they can be improved.

Nobody is wishing away any sort of formation that may come. But even upfront there are issues. Who is leading them? What is their shared ideology? What exactly do they want to give India? A Karnataka-like situation? Or a corruption-ridden government like the UPA 1 and 2, particularly UPA 2. Or the laid back administration many states saw under the Congress? What is it? So it is 24x7 transparent, absolutely devoid of corruption governance where questions are answered, not rebutted, versus a formation which is yet to happen. A formation which is completely chaotic. A formation whose only agenda is, why should he be there; I should be there. So, 2019, the people are not fools. I am confident. PM Modi will be voted back. If your objective is only going to be “he shouldn’t come back; I should be there”, you are not going to be talking about substantial issues. Even on other issues, what kind of record do any of these parties have? Upliftment of poor? Rights of the SCS and STS? Where have the parties been all this while? The way in which disruptions have happened for frivolous things... when important bills are brought in, you choose not to be in the House. These are not things people will forget

Rahul Gandhi has just written to the Prime Minister pushing for the women’s reservation bill?

I am sure the PM’S office will respond but these are realisations when 2019 is getting closer. What have they done in their time? Why were they not able to convince – we supported them in LS and RS – other parties,which opposed the bill?

There is a fear that there will be more polarisation between now and 2019.

The BJP is looking at showcasing what we have done in the last four years in terms of reaching out to every section of society, making sure that fundamental changes are happening in the economy by being transparent, and ensuring that benefits directly reach those entitled to. Thereby saving money from pilferage and reaching out to actual beneficiaries. We will also say what more can be done and fight on those grounds.