Defence Minister A.K. Antony has said that a cyber command will be established in the armed forces as part of strengthening the cyber defence security in the country.
Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of the passing out parade of the trained cadets at the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala on Saturday, Mr. Antony said that the process of forming the cyber command was in its final stages. The government has mechanisms to handle cyber security issues in the country, he said adding that the cyber command was being set up in view of the growing threat of cyber warfare.
Mr. Antony said in response to a query on the proposed infrastructure development programmes in the armed forces that all the three services were poised for major expansion since the security situation in the borders of the country is volatile and sensitive. Stressing the importance of equipping the armed forces to meet the new challenges, the Minister said adding that better infrastructure and new equipment were required to protect the country's land, air and waters.
Stating that infrastructure development as part of modernising the armed forces was now on track, Mr. Antony said that the country was much more confident now as far as its defence was concerned. The armed forces today possessed more assets than in the past, he said adding that funds allotted for modernisation of the armed forces were now fully utilised. "Earlier crores of rupees of the allotted funds used to be surrendered," he said noting that utilisation for funds for infrastructure development was far efficient now.
Asked about India's relationship with China in the wake of the recent visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Mr. Antony said that the competition and co-operation were the characteristics of the relationship between the two neighbouring countries. There are areas where their relations are growing and there are areas of dispute, he said noting that both China and India are modern countries and they were both strengthening their armed forces. He also said in reply to a question that the country's border road development was a continuous process.
