By Kamal Shah
India fought four wars since independence and a mini conflict in Kargil. That our armament was limited by a lack of military manufacturing infrastructure combined with a crying dependence on Moscow is a fact. Suffice it to say that this huge lacuna was stopped by courage, valour on the field of battle, superb training and unquestioning obedience and discipline of the men and women in uniform.
We fought China in the 1962 misadventure in jerseys and .303 rifles as the mercury fell well below freezing point. Against Pakistan, obsolete Gnats took on Sabrejets and advanced Patton tanks were destroyed by outdated AMXs, Chafees and T55s with PT 76s. The incredible spirit of the standard set by the likes of Havildar Abdul Hamid and Lt Arun Khetrapal will shine forever.
Thirty years ago we should have addressed the issue of arming ourselves where a standing force like ours had two potential enemies on the borders and literally no bullets in the barrel.
Whenever a bid was made to up the ante the stench of scandal accompanied every deal. From the 1948 purchase of jeeps without proper sanction through to the Czech pistol deal to the buying of Swedish Bofors 155 mm howitzer to the Anglo-Italian Augusta helicopters and even the French Rafale jets signing accusations of kickbacks was the common thread.
Even when unjustified it turned into a clarion call and India’s image internationally was bruised. Why sell to a country that would then drag the seller through the mud?
In 2014 when the BJP came into power things began to change. Love him or not Prime Minister Modi saw the need to fast-track the making of weaponry in India and, through this initiative gave the armed forces much-needed respect and muscle. In a decade the country has a robust defence industry that produces a wide range of military hardware, including aircraft, tanks, missiles, small arms, and naval vessels.
We have commissioned an aircraft carrier, finally given credence to the Tejas advanced fighter, the Rudra and the LCH choppers, the Kolkata class destroyer, the Kamorta class corvette, the Arjun Mk 2 tank, the Nirbhay cruise missiles, the Nag anti-tank missiles to name just a few. The recent successful test of Agni-V (‘Fire’ in Sanskrit) a land-based nuclear MIRV-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation has sent ripples across the world. It has placed India on the top shelf in terms of military firepower capability.
” The Modi Government’s steadfast commitment to transforming India’s defence sector has not only strengthened national security but has also driven economic growth and job creation and has set the stage for India to emerge as a global leader in defence production.” This February 2024 statement underscores an intent that was integral to the BJP manifesto from the very start.
The cornerstone of this vision was the “Make in India” initiative, championed by PM Modi. This initiative has been instrumental in encouraging domestic production and fostering innovation within the defence sector.
We have all seen it in action and even though there are miles to go before we are self-sufficient this decade has been telling in its intent.
The nation’s domestic defence manufacturing capacity under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” campaign has given an extra dimension to the armed forces. One of the weaknesses was the outdated small and personal arms for soldiers. The Express writes: In its first-ever Transfer of Technology (ToT) in defence articles, Indian firm ICOMM, a group company of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), recently signed an agreement with UAE-based small arms company CARACAL. As per the agreement, ICOMM will locally manufacture the Abu Dhabi-headquartered CARACAL’s complete line of small arms for the Indian market under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ initiatives “
All these deals are clear indicators that we can, as a nation, be on par with the world when it comes to making state-of-the-art armament and delivery systems.
As per the agreement, ICOMM will locally manufacture the Abu Dhabi-headquartered CARACAL’s complete line of small arms for the Indian market under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ banners.
The hike of 68% in the defence budget allocation in one year has been a spur in giving domestic production gravitas. More than 150 defence start-ups have come into existence in the last decade, and defence forces have given them orders worth ₹1,800 crore. This spins off into jobs and prosperity.
Such a track record gives credence to the Modi promise that India will manufacture a fifth-generation fighter jet. And why not reach for the sky.
His promises made at the tri-service Bharat Shakti exercise in Pokharan was more than a salute to the Services. It was a commitment that the government would be an active partner in protecting and defending the country. Not a teacher monitoring its students but an equal partner ready to take on responsibility.
The PM was quoted as saying, “India becoming self-reliant in defence needs is also a guarantee of confidence in the armies. At the time of war, when the armies know that the weapons they are using are their own and will never fall short, then the energy of the armies increases manifold. In the last 10 years, India has developed its own fighter aircraft. India has built its own aircraft carriers, C295 transport aircraft are being built in India. Modern engines are also going to be manufactured in India.” What might have sounded as an empty boast now has the mettle of reality about it.
The Bharat Shakti exercise demonstrated the integrated operational capabilities of the Indian military in the face of threats in the land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains through the simulation of realistic and coordinated multi-domain operations.
Weapons and Essential Tools Various systems from the Indian Army took part in the exercise, demonstrating their advanced ground warfare and aerial surveillance capabilities. These systems include T-90 (IM) Tanks, Dhanush and Sarang Gun Systems, Akash Weapons System, Logistics Drones, Robotic Mules, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles. Naval Anti-Ship Missiles, Expendable Aerial Targets, and Autonomous Cargo Carrying Aerial Vehicles were on display by the Indian Navy, showcasing their technical prowess and nautical might. Displaying air supremacy and diversity in air operations, the Indian Air Force utilized aircraft such as the Light Utility Helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters, and the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
Highlighting the resilience, ingenuity, and power of India’s domestic defence capabilities in the world arena, Bharat Shakti is a strong signal of India’s willingness to meet and overcome current and future difficulties with home-grown solutions. The event highlighted the inventiveness and dedication of the Indian military industry as well as the might and operational competence of the Indian Armed Forces, demonstrating the nation’s progress towards Aatmanirbharta in defence.
“Today, once again Pokhran became a witness of India’s Triveni of India’s Aatmnirbharta, self-confidence and its glory” and continued, “It is the same Pokhran that witnessed India’s nuclear test and today we are witnessing the power of strength from indigenization.” As PM remarked these lines he asserted that the skills and bravery displayed were the cry of the new India.
