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| Modi for modernization of Armed Forces to thwart enemy plans | | |
Ringed by two powerful enemy countries, China and Pakistan, India can hardly ignore the importance of modernization of its defence equipments and war machinery. Yes, there are no immediate threat of war either from China or from Pakistan but the way Beijing and Islamabad carry out anti-India machinations on the LAC and on the LOC, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, do call for full defence preparedness. It is an old adage that once you are militarily strong your enemy cannot hit you. And if your enemy plans to hit you the enemy has to think twice before embarking on any misadventure. If Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the BJP led NDA Government that he heads have succeeded in ironing out differences with several countries and situation has risen wherein India can claim to have started promoting cordial ties with its neighbouring small countries besides the developed nations, the Government can take the credit of modernizing of its military and defence equipments, including the entire war machinery. Once India becomes militarily strong its enemies my have no other alternative but to seek cordial relations with New Delhi. And in one year of the Narendra Modi government, military modernisation has gathered pace, especially in the last couple of months, with some quick decisions taken by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). However, major policy formulations, in particular, revision of Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) and a separate policy for 'Make in India', are still awaited.The government's election pitch of 'One Rank One Pension' for armed forces personnel has been cleared in principle and the final sanction is expected shortly. The biggest decision of the NDA government in the field of defence was the termination of the long-running Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft contract for 126 jets and the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for direct purchase of 36 Rafale jets from France in a government-to-government deal. Apart from that, in a move with long-term implications, the government rightfully downsized the new mountain strike corps meant for the eastern border from 90,000 to 35,000 troops due to finance obligations. The DAC has cumulatively cleared defence deals worth over Rs. 1,00,000 crore. The recent decisions on Avro replacement programme and Kamov helicopters, which involve industry in a big way, will help develop aerospace ecosystem in the country. While some are long-pending deals, others are approvals to initiate the procurement process which involves long timelines. The need is to take things to the logical conclusion minus the time and cost overruns typical of our procurement process. Well if the Government has downsized the new mountain strike Corps from 90,000 to 35,000 for the eastern border on account of financial stringency, it has to increase the number of personnel in the corps because of the length and difficult terrain of the eastern border. Added preparations for upgrading the security grid on the eastern borders are required because of the undependable strategies of the Chinese. If today the Chinese leaders hug the Indian leaders tomorrow these very Chinese leaders may have no hesitation in stabbing the same Indian leaders in the back. Yes, the BJP led NDA Government is trying to modernize its Armed forces so that the defence personnel in Army, Air Force and the Navy do not feel the pinch of obsolete war machinery. Yes, what is disturbing is the report that had indicated that the ammunition and other explosives with the Indian Armed forces could last for less than 20 days against the normal practices of a country ready to fight for 40 days. Well as for as India's policy of non-alignment is concerned it may not allow New Delhi to seek military aid from any developed nation. Hence there is need for joint collaboration with various foreign firms, known for manufacturing long range guns, fighter planes, helicopters, submarines and other defence equipment which could help Modi to realize his dream of Make in India even in manufacturing defence equipment. |
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