New Delhi (NVI): The Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi places high emphasis on the operational safety of Indian soldiers and it will ensure that the armed forces are provided with the best of weapons and protective armour, Minister of State for Defence, Shripad Yesso Naik said today.
Naik was speaking at a ceremony held in New Delhi where he handed over ‘one hundredth thousandth’ (1 lakh mark) Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) to the Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Defence said that the Government has honoured its commitment of protecting the precious lives of soldiers fighting the enemy.
Pertinently, India is engaged in a bitter stand-off with China at Line of Actual (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh as well as a hostile Pakistan at LoC which has frequently engaged in unprovoked ceasefire violations to facilitate infiltration bids.
Our Government has honoured its commitment of protecting the precious lives of our soldiers who are fighting against the enemy.
SMPP Pvt Ltd delivered 40,000 BPJs within last 4 months despite all the ill effects of COVID-19 on the manufacturing industry. pic.twitter.com/ddjea6IWco— Shripad Y. Naik (@shripadynaik) January 6, 2021
“The Government will ensure that our soldiers will be provided with the best of weapons and protective armour and such requirements will always remain uppermost in priority,” Naik said.
He appreciated the manufacturers, M/s SMPP Pvt Ltd for supplying the first one lakh Jackets, four months ahead of the delivery schedule, the Ministry of Defence said.
The Minister also said that the BPJ being supplied is an indigenous product under Make in India and the company is even exporting the product all over the world, making India a global hub for supply of such Defence ware in line with the Aatamnirbhar Bharat initiative of the government, the MoD said.
He added this jacket has been appreciated by soldiers who are using them on the borders and in countering insurgency.
Raj Kumar Secretary (Defence Production), Lt Gen A K Samantara, DG Infantry, Lt Gen R K Malhotra DG DGQA and Lt Gen H S Kahlon, DG CD were also present on the occasion.
-ARK
