Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said her "first priority" will be Defence preparedness and ensuring that the armed forces are equipped with the "best equipment" available.
"My priority will be to ensure armed forces preparedness... It is important to give them, equip them with all the necessary and best equipments available to perform their duty," Sitharaman said as she assumed office on Thursday at the Ministry of Defence as India's full-time Minister of Defence.
She said she would address all the long pending issues related to Defence procurement and reforms in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
"I will ensure that all issues that are long pending are resolved," she highlighted.
She also said her focus will be to ensure that Defence production drives the 'Make in India' campaign and India's Defence capabilities are strengthened.
"We all know India is a very big Defence procurer. But we need to ensure that our manufacturing grows and see that Make in India takes over," she said.
She said she would also focus attention on ensuring that the families of armed forces personnel are looked after.
The government is also looking at deals worth over ₹50,000 crore that are in the pipeline, including procurement of battle tanks, fighter jets, frigates, submarines and several other weapons, as India faces geopolitical challenges.
As the new Defence Minister, Sitharaman will also have to grapple with optimising defence expenditure, a move recently approved by the Cabinet.
She also has to fulfill the long-pending task of creating the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) based on a recommendation made by the Group of Ministers in 2001. Under her tenure, the role of women in combat posts may get a boost.