Defence capability

Notwithstanding negative criticism of cynics inside and outside the country, our nation is well on the path of self sufficiency in defence capabilities. We are gradually coming out of the syndrome of dependent entity for defence equipment and technology. The vast establishment of defence research be it in relation to army, navy or air force, is making steady progress. Defence research is a comprehensive programme in which numerous factors have to play their role. As our defence capability increases, there is wider and wider prospect for collaboration from industrial sector. Fortunately, our industrial sector, including especially the private sector, has made steady break through in developing technology and providing skilled man power. These are pre-requisites for defence research and development.
Our defence preparedness is essentially and definitely defence oriented. This has been our policy from the very beginning of our independence. Our deeply nationalist leadership of first generation had very wisely decided that forces should be defence oriented. It means that we did not believe in carrying aggression into the territories of other countries especially our neighbours. That is a reason why for so many decades in the past we maintained very modest budgetary provision for research activities in defence area. On a number of occasions, policy planners at defence research institutes lodged complaints with the defence ministry and the planning commission for allocating only limited funds for research. Some stalwarts in these organizations even went to the length of saying that it was suicidal not to take due cognizance of defence requirements.
The ground reality is that from the very beginning our leaders realized the need of developing indigenous capability for producing high tech weapons. We have had a bitter taste of depending on foreign countries especially the developed Western countries for our defence requirements. Space and missile research gradually became the targeted areas in which research had to be conducted on our own. We were fortunate to have eminent scientists and technocrats in the country who dedicated themselves to the task of building indigenous defence mechanism. Then a stage came at which, the real thrust was exerted. Adequate funds were provided and the requisite infrastructure was made available to missile research centre. Missiles were produced and test fired. Initially there appeared obstacles and hindrances, something that would not discourage our scientist corpse. At long last, breakthrough was made possible and India had now a vast scope of advancing her missile fire power depending on indigenous efforts.
Now the time came when we found that our defensive policy needed to be reconsidered. The vicious nexus that has been formed by two countries in tandem, standing on our west and east, had to be given a serious thought. Great effort of offering hand of friendship to them was misconstrued as our weakness. The nation was not at all prepared to accept that our government and our state should speak from a position of weakness and total conciliation. There are occasions in the history of a nation when the might of the state has to be shown and enforced. While China has been actively engaged in building up its aggressive missile regimes including missiles that would carry nuclear warheads to great distances even beyond the borders of our country, we cannot ignore its security implications for our country. Most of her missiles are now carrying nuclear warheads and have tremendous strike force at great distances. At the same time Pakistan has been engaged in upgrading its missile technology rapidly. Pakistan left no stone unturned to supersede India, if she could, in this technology and in doing so she bartered her nuclear technology with North Korea in return of missile technology. Thus both China and Pakistan have placed themselves in an aggressive stance in respect of their dealing with India. We needed to size up to this growing threat.
It has to be noted that China is reported to have put up missiles along the Karakorum Highway which runs from Urumchi to Gawadar on Makran Coast of Pakistan. The missiles target our cities and vital installations. These missiles have the capacity to strike at our naval installations as well. At the same time Pakistan’s missile bases are not far away from our western borders. This poses serious threat to our security. Therefore, our Defence Research and  Development Organization (DRDO) was instructed to build a surface- to- surface nuclear headed missile called Prithvi II whose test firing was successfully conducted at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha. Prithvi II is a surface to surface nuclear missile with strike range of 350 kms. The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the total launch activities were carried out by the specially formed SFC and monitored by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as part of practice drill. Successful launch of the missile has been a source of satisfaction and accomplishment for the scientist who have been working at it tirelessly.
At this point we will help our readers recall that in another achievement along the path of self sufficiency in defence requirement, the Indian Navy has launched INS Vikrant, the first indigenously built aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. On that occasion the Defence Minister said that he would be trying his best to obtain adequate funds from the Planning Commission for our defence research and production task. This is a very encouraging development. The nation has been crying for long for accelerating our indigenous defence production and intensifying our research activities. India has been one of the largest weapon purchasing countries of the world. This, at the same time, has been a drain on our limited resources. The only way out of this entrapment is to develop indigenous weapons industry and reduce our dependence on foreign purchases. Besides drying our resources, foreign defence purchases have also been a source of mega corruption and scams in the country that have tarnished our otherwise good image.
We take the opportunity of congratulating our missile scientists as they are rendering great service to the cause of our country’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty. The Defence Minister deserves kudos for his successful efforts of making the country strong and independent of foreign aid in building up our defence structure. We are expecting great strides in the direction of new researches in the area.

Follow our WhatsApp channel