The recent media reports about the state of the Indian defense system, ask whether the new policies of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” for the Defence Ministry are realistic.

A media report by Bloomberg argues that the government’s ‘Make in India’ push might put the country’s defense system in trouble.

It says that the thrust to boost Indian economy and create employment with the ‘make in India’ slogan isn’t compatible with the realities of the defense system. According to the news, some defence officials believe that Make in India is leaving the country vulnerable to threats from China and Pakistan.

The report says – “India’s army, air force and navy are no longer allowed to import weapons from outside the country.” As a result, some of the most powerful weapon systems which are aging cannot be replaced. India will be short of helicopters by 2026 and a shortfall of hundreds of fighter jets by 2030, the report speculates.

India used to be the world’s biggest importer of military hardware. But now  the country’s defense system is to be totally dependent on made in India products. And India doesn’t manufacture enough weapons!

Indian military has increased the local purchase of some defense items but complex platforms like diesel-electric submarines and twin-engine fighters, which are in a way necessary for the air force, are not made in India.

The country faces greater risks from the neighboring countries China and Pakistan, which has deployed soldiers toe-to-toe against India. Weaker air force means India will need double the number of soldiers on the ground compared to the other country.

According to the report by 2030 Indian air force will be left with less than 30 fighter squadrons.

On one hand the Bloomberg’s report is says “The situation with the air force is particularly dire”. On the other hand “The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft” (WDMMA) had ranked the Indian Air Force (IAF) third in the Global Air Powers Ranking for 2022 after examining the air strength of various countries around the world.” China came on the fourth place.

Further, the reports argues that helicopters are another problem. The air force, navy and army are still dependent on helicopters designed more than half a century ago. “Flying the old helicopters is costing lives. According to records with the parliament until last December, 31 soldiers were killed and another 19 injured in accidents involving military helicopters since 2017.”

Some of the recent aircraft crashes like the helicopter  that crashed at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, leading to the deaths of Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 11 others, In February 2019, another Mi-17V5 helicopter crashed in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, killing seven people, including six IAF personnel. The choppers, used by IAF, were apparently new ones and the officially, the accidents were attributed to bad weather.

The report consists of a photograph of  a helicopter that crashed while attempting to land in a village in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 2017. This was Chetak helicopter  (designed in India), and the reason for the crash was aircraft’s engine failure. .

The report shared by the Bloomberg and was later followed up by other Indian media channels. How much of this forecast is accurate is anybody’s guess..

Let’s see what happens.

PREPARED FROM MEDIA REPORTS BY HARSHIT PAUL

  defence