Operational readiness always top priority: Manohar Parrikar

Roorkee: The 'Make in India' vision is a priority for defence procurement but "operational readiness" is the military's primary task as "we don't want people to look at us with big eyes", Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said.

"We need adequate equipment and that cannot change. Make in India is in its place, our military preparedness is paramount," he said speaking at a panel discussion on Make in India initiative in the defence sector on the opening day of the three-day technical festival ? Cognizance 2016 ? of IIT Roorkee yesterday.

"I would like to make it clear...Make in India is our priority for defence procurement...But the first priority cannot be forgotten, the primary task of our military, which is operational readiness...In view of our neighbours...So that no one can look at us with big eyes," he said.

There have been calls for stepping up the country's defence preparedness after the terror attack on the Pathankot Air base and in Gudsaspur.

Opposition Congress had in Parliament recently criticised the government for its handling of the Pathankot incident in which seven security personnel were killed.