Former defence personnel call for reforms and early creation of Chief of Defence Staff post

New Delhi, Apr. 9 (ANI): Former personnel of the defence forces on Thursday called for the early creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post, terming it essential for providing advice to the defence minister. Air Chief Marshal (Retd) S. Krishnaswamy, former Chief of the Air Staff , and other dignitaries of the defence forces were present at the launch of the book 'Core Concerns in Indian Defence and the Imperatives for Reforms' in the national capital, here today. The book release was followed by a panel discussion on "Strategic Self-Reliance in Defence", in which Dr Sivathanu Pillai, Dr Manoj Joshi, Lt.Gen A. Hasnain (Retd), Dr R.K. Tyagi, and Mr Vinod Misra, participated. "The dynamics of international relations is changing fast. We cannot change our neighbours but certainly we need our Armed Forces to have operational preparedness. We have to be ready for any eventuality and strike fast at the right core," the editor of the book, Vinod Misra said. Speaking at the function Air Chief Marshall (retired) Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy said that the Defence Ministry should not delay implementation of the suggested reforms, including creation of chief of defence staff, which would provide one point advice to the defence ministry in the formulation of policies. Eminent Scientist, Sivathanu Pillai, the father of Brahmos, detailed the various steps taken to implement various projects under the BrahMos aerospace organisation and made suggestions how defence can participate in the 'Make in India"effort. Dr Manoj Joshi in his address said that the Government of India seems to be 'advice-proof'. Dr Joshi, who was a member of the advisory committee headed by Naresh Chandra, had made many recommendations including the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff, but things have not yet happened for over two years now. Lieutenant General (retired) Syed Ata Hasnain said that the steps suggested for the transformation of the Indian army structure started around 2004 but it seems to have lost momentum. Dr R. K. Tyagi, a former Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of Pawan Hans Helicopers Limited suggested association of the private sector organisations at the planning stage in manufacturing defence equipment. The book, published by the Pentagon Press on its 15th anniversary, contains comprehensive articles on to strengthen India's defence and industrial base providing suggestions on the Arms Trade Offset: Global Trend and Best Practices. It also calls for an oversight in the defence sector and the need to ensure operational preparedness of the Armed Forces together with a comprehensive piece on India's security environment and its impact on India's defence which gives "the country no choice but to build up a robust defence capability with self reliance as our goal" . (ANI)