PIB, June 6

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed activities of the Ministry of Defence. The RM was briefed regarding Defence Cooperation activities with Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs). He was also briefed about planning activities of the Armed Forces including Tri-Services agencies viz. HQ IDS and Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Space Agency and Armed Forces Special Forces Division which were approved by the CCS in 2019. He was also briefed about the Defence Planning Committee setup in 2018.

Raksha Mantri reviewed the policy matters pertaining to defence diplomacy including bilateral/multilateral exercises, capacity building, training, material assistance to FFCs, etc. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Defence Secretary Shri Sanjay Mitra and other senior officials of MoD were also present on the occasion.

In addition, Shri Singh also reviewed defence acquisition issues. He was briefed about Defence Procurement Procedures (DPP), budget utilisation, major procurements and challenges therein. The present status of procurements and payments were also briefed alongwith implications of major deals with other countries. He directed officials to seek indigenous solutions for meeting requirements of the forces to the extent possible. He also noted the progress under the Strategic Partnership programme.

Raksha Mantri has also scheduled review of other departments. He also reviewed ex-servicemen welfare issues with the officials of the department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.