abhik wrote:In reality this just isn't true. Our foreign arms purchase process is so treacherous and unpredictable that a lot of them have not produced any results even after dragging on for 10+ years in multiple iterations. The slightest allegation of an impropriety however legitimate is enough to derail the entire process. A lot of the ones that go through are because of kick-backs or are political decisions. Compare this to how 1000's were allocated to successful indigenous programs like the Akash, Dhruv once they cleared by the Forces. No controversies, no delays. And inducting a system early even with a few shortcomings means a faster maturing of the system and greater rate of induction.
Spare the rhetoric - that the acquisition process has been fvcked up over last 10 years to save the halo around someone's head is hind-sight - when MOD wants things to be done, it gets it done in double time. As for domestic R&D - the timelines are anybody's guess.
But the IAF would have our fighter pilots fly the obsolete and unsafe Mig 21s and 27s for many more years while they wait for the uber Rafale rather than order large number of LCAs.
Order more LCA? Seriously? And what would have ordering more LCA done to anything? Would it have started to fly already of more orders have been placed? Will it suddenly clear IOC-2 and FOC if IAF tomorrow places order for 150 aircraft?
The fact is this - those unsafe Mig-21 and Mig-27 are in IAF inventory because DRDO has repeatedly failed in all its deadline. And unlike DRDO and DPSU where there is no skin off anyone's back if deadlines are missed, IAF has a job to do. And it will make do with whatever it has. So, stop making these nonsensical arguments.
And how do you know this? Talk is cheap, and easy.The IA could have asked the DRDO for a Bofors clone and it would have been ready years ago.
That would have been learnt by now if DRDO and others had not so gloriously fvcked up by now on timelines for almost everything. It takes two to tango - and now both are getting their acts together. These 'he-said-so, she-said-so' arguments are useless and pointless.But they'd rather have no guns than local ones. Its not the duty of the Military to try and get the best possible stuff out there but to make the best of the situation. Its quite clear that supporting indigenous systems actually means a better armed military even if the arms itself may not be the best. They should have learnt this by now.