Daijiwrold Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 30: The first two of the 10 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets are expected to be delivered by September-end, Defence Secretary R K Singh said at NDTV’s Defence Summit on Saturday.

Speaking on ‘atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in the defence sector, Singh emphasized that self-reliance is crucial for India to maintain strategic autonomy.

“It is a strategic imperative now that we need to be self-reliant in order to maintain our strategic autonomy. The only way we can do that is by ensuring that the bulk of our defence needs are met within the country,” Singh said.

He added that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government came to power in 2014, there has been a relentless focus on achieving self-reliance.

The Defence Secretary highlighted that India has set a benchmark of 75% domestic capital expenditure in defence. He also noted that even foreign companies must invest and manufacture in India to qualify for most defence orders.