Give level playing field to private players in defence production: Ex-Army Chief Malik

Former Army Chief V P Malik on Friday called for a level playing field for the private sector in manufacturing defence equipment.

Malik made the remark at a panel discussion on the 'Make in India and the Nation's Security' on the inaugural day of the third edition of annual Military Literature Festival (MLF) here.

"We are not giving level playing field to the private sector. Unless you give level playing to the private sector they have to be partners, then you will find faster development," Malik said.

He laid emphasis on removing any bottlenecks in terms of policy, system or processes meant for defence equipment.

He said unless the country becomes "adequately self-reliant" in defence production, the national security remains "vulnerable."