Every time Rajnath Singh or anyone makes a quick flight abroad asking weapons and spares be supplied at short notice, it paints a picture of a country that is haphazardly run and is unprepared for sustained war beyond a Galwan or a smaller area. A proper war. It may not be the full truth but optics matter and the PRC may think we are weak enough to try their chances.
Sadly, 7 years in and while we are significantly ahead we are not yet at a place wherein we have proper dominance. Ammunition production by now should have been up and running in the pvt sector - yet not one, not one order has been placed. Multiple DRDO projects have cleared user trials - yet no orders have been placed. Because the GOI has no additional money for defence and won't raise the budget either. The Armed Forces run abroad for items related to their existing kit, or ask for gold-plated silver bullets which they hope will take on vastly superior numbers of opponent gear.
IAF is at a historic squadron low. Only 29-30 squadrons and approaching parity with PAF, numbers wise as they have 22 squadrons. The PLAAF can add another 15 squadrons to our theater without redeploying other squadrons from other regions. That's a 1.5x advantage.
Add the SRBMs, MRBMs, IRBMs - and our infra will be under severe threat.
The BMD system we did develop has not been put in place fully, per media reports. We are literally not doing anything to hold the Pak side at bay. 5 regiments of S-400 without additional radars are woefully inadequate for our overall BMD needs.
The much ballyhooed emergency orders only empty the Revenue Budget and sometimes Capex, and the AF modernization continues at a slow rate. OROP has stalled IA modernization and the CDS is busy eyeing the budgets of the IAF and IN and they are already aghast at his proposals.
Facts are these - we have chosen to reverse the MMS/UPA era "come kick me all you want" policies and hence war is anyday possible. But we don't seem to "get" the risks involved.
The amount spent on defence is at a historic low as a % of budget. We should at least consider some form of QE or whatever way to use our sovereign denominated debt to push for local orders. It will benefit industry and at least still modernize the military and build up our reserves.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bus ... -trend.cms
CV has put GOI debt even further behind. I read someplace we are at 11 years back in terms of debt as % of GDP. Well tough, but losing a war isnt an option either. That will further worsen our economic condition.
Its either that, or swallow your pride and give up what PRC wants in "remote areas".
The next option is an alliance. Under this current US admin - it will be transactional, expensive (you get only what you pay for), and doing so at the current time, will smack of desperation and get you the worst possible deal.
I wish he would stop it and switch to just plain handshakes. I believe this hugging business leads Modi to personally trust the words of these foreing leaders more than he should.
