news details |
|
|
| ‘Only Tangible’ Factor | | | Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth recently stated that the land will always remain the “only tangible” factor of success since victory is measured in territorial terms.
He emphasised the critical need for self-reliance in defence production and underscored the strategic imperative behind self-sufficiency. He also said that technology was shortening the battles, but not war since conflict timelines are becoming “increasingly indefinite”.
This changing environment makes defence preparedness a long-term national requirement rather than an occasional response to a crisis. The emphasis on self-reliance in defence production is therefore strategically significant. A country that depends excessively on external suppliers for critical weapons, ammunition, spare parts or sophisticated technologies can face serious vulnerabilities during a prolonged conflict. Supply chains can be disrupted, geopolitical equations can change and access to essential equipment cannot always be guaranteed when it is needed most.
The real objective of the self-reliance must be the creation of an ecosystem capable of designing, developing, manufacturing, maintaining and continuously upgrading advanced military systems. Indigenous production must therefore be accompanied by sustained investment in research and development, testing facilities, skilled manpower and collaboration between the armed forces, industry and academia.
For India, the push towards greater indigenous defence production has implications beyond economic development. Domestic manufacturing strengthens strategic autonomy, creates industrial capacity and encourages investment in research and innovation. It can also generate skilled employment and create opportunities for the private sector, start-ups, universities and research institutions to participate in national security.
The lessons of modern conflicts also demonstrate that preparedness cannot be measured simply by the inventory of weapons. Logistics, ammunition reserves, resilient communications, cyber security, maintenance capabilities and the ability to rapidly replace battlefield losses are equally important. A prolonged conflict tests the depth and endurance of a nation’s industrial and technological base.
India’s strategic environment makes this preparedness particularly relevant. The country faces complex security challenges across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains. Consequently, military modernisation must be accompanied by industrial resilience and technological independence.
The central message is clear: technology may change the battlefield, but geography, territory and national resilience continue to shape the outcome of conflicts. Building a self-reliant defence ecosystem is therefore not simply about reducing imports. It is about ensuring that when national security is at stake, India possesses the capabilities, resources and endurance to protect its territory and strategic interests under changing and uncertain circumstances. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
