ribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 13
In the backdrop of India’s poor track record in production of indigenous defence equipment, experts today called for the revamp of the policy and procedures, prudent fiscal planning as well as a change in the mindset to remove roadblocks and give an impetus to self reliance.
Pointing out that one of the most important lessons of the 1999 Kargil conflict was self reliance in defence, former Chief of the Army Staff, Gen VP Malik, said, “While we have to be pragmatic in projecting our requirements there are timelines involved as technology is moving at a very fast pace. If the required equipment is not procured in time, it will become redundant.”
Listing out details of poor inflows over the past few years under the foreign direct investment in defence, he said, “Without adequate money, technology cannot be procured from overseas. The role of technology in today’s environment is critical as our weapons have to be better than that of the adversary.”
“The fact is that the government-run establishments have failed to deliver,” ruedGen VP Malik.“Instead of various government departments involved in defence planning, research and development and production working in silos and in isolation, they should be interactive and sharing information. Too much protection is being given to public sector units by the government for political and other reasons depriving the private industry of a level playing field,” Gen VP Malik added.
The former Financial Advisor (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, Amit Cowshish, raised the issue of ambiguity and mistrust around objectives laid down under Make in India scheme as far as defence acquisitions were concerned.
“There is no clear-cut policy and framework laid down under the scheme. The processes to be followed are not clearly defined in the Defence Procurement Process manual,” Cowshish added.
Pointing out that officials tend to confuse procedure with policy, which makes them hesitant to take certain decisions, Cowshish said, “Indigenisation cannot be done for reducing costs alone as the process is a learning curve that involves research and development costs.”
Stressing that any critical technology required by the armed forces would have to be made in India, former GOC-in-C, South Western Command, Lt Gen Arun Sahni said, “The present focus seems to be on adopting processes and procedures rather than meeting the end result. Processes, should act as a facilitator to meet desired objectives instead of becoming an embargo.”
“The Defence Research and Development Organisation needs to be re-structured to develop only niche technologies instead of getting into manufacturing. The end users of the technology of equipment should be kept in the loop during the planning stage,” Lt Gen Arun Sahni added. Calling for a re-look at non-tariff barriers, he said, “A political will is required for the desired change at all levels to make indigenisation effective.”
While highlighting the gross mismatch between capabilities and achievements, defence analyst Rahul Bedi pointed out, “On one hand we have launched ballistic missiles, but we still cannot produce an assault rifle.”
Discussion on books on Day 1
Discussions on books dealing with defence and strategic issues as well as documentary films on military subjects formed a part of the events at the Military Literature Festival that began here today.
Modernising National Intelligence Apparatus for Internal Security Operations, The Kargil Victory – Battles from Peak to Peak, China’s Strategic Deterrence, Securing India’s Strategic Space, The Chinese Air Threat, Four Battles Fronts of a Military Hero and Major Tom’s War were among tittles on which authors’ and experts spoke.
At the specially set up Clarion Call Theatre, visitors were able to catch a glimpse of several historical aspects such as the battle campaigns undertaken by The Guards, Indian soldiers in the Second World War, Bangladesh operations and the epic battle of Laungewala in 1971.
Films were also screened on the Air Force, the Indian Navy’s submarine arm and role of the Corps of Signals in the Army. An exhibition highlighted historical facets, vintage weapons and war heroes. Serving and retired gallantry award recipients and military personnel interacted with visitors and shared their experiences about their achievements and service life.