Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (25 February) called for increased use of India's information technology prowess in the defence sector.

He also called for indigenisation of the defence equipment to reduce India's dependence on other countries for latest arms and ammunition.

"When we import arms and ammunition, the process is so long that by the time they reach our security forces many of them become outdated. Its solution lies in 'Aatamanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' and Make in India," PM Modi was quoted as saying by ANI at post-budget webinar ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence-Call to Action'.

PM Modi said that the Budget 2022-23 is a blueprint for developing a vibrant ecosystem from research, design and development to manufacturing.

Around 70 per cent of Defence allocation has been kept just for domestic industry in the budget, he said, adding that the Defence Ministry has so far issued indigenisation list of over 200 defence platforms and equipment.

'Even during the period of slavery and immediately after Independence, the strength of our defence manufacturing was very high. Weapons made in India played a big role in World War II,' he said in his address.

Although this strength of ours kept on weakening in later years, it shows that there was no shortage of capacity in India then and neither it is there now, he added.

PM Modi also called for use of India's IT prowess in the defence sector.

'The strength of India's IT is our great strength. The more we use this power in our defence sector, the more confident we will be in our security,' he noted.

'For example, cyber security is no longer limited to the digital world only. It has become a matter of national security,' he added.

It is a source of happiness that in the last five-six years, India has increased defence exports by six times, he said.

Today, India is providing Made in India defence equipments and services to more than 75 countries, he noted.

(With inputs from PTI)