Modernisation Of Armed Forces
The developments in India’s immediate neighbourhood over the past decade with consistent foreign-aided terror activities in Border areas speaks volumes for an urgent need to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. The task is not easy as India has to look after the socio-economic development of its people. But, a holistic development of a State cannot be achieved without full-fledged Security. In the light of this aspect, the allocation of ₹4.31 trillion for Defence sector in the current year’s Budget is welcome. However, this is only 2.04% of India’s gross domestic product (GDP). The decision to exempt import of defence equipment from basic customs duty proves that defence modernisation requirements are getting top priority of the Government.
The modernisation process of the Indian Army has been explicitly spelt out in the Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) which will cover the period up to 2027. Emphasis is being given to deliver projects which are made in India so as to enhance the indigenous capability. With the Government’s proactive attitude, efforts are being made to stick to timelines. Leading private players are also being brought into defence production sector. The Government has rolled out the strategic partnership (SP) model which will allow Indian private sector companies to form joint ventures with foreign defence majors to build fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines and main battle tanks in India. To enhance war-fighting capabilities of the Armed forces the Government has also taken several far reaching reforms. The measures are being viewed as most significant in decades, include downsizing of the second largest standing Army in the world and make it “leaner and meaner”, besides equipping the force with modern platforms and weapons.
A key programme, F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier as a System) is aimed at providing soldiers with state-of-the-art weaponry and combat gear. This is scheduled to be completed by 2020. Last year the Army had procured M777 howitzers and K9 Vajra. The recently concluded deal with Russia worth over Rs. 13,500 crore for procurement of 464 T-90 tanks will increase the number of T-90s in the Army to close to 2,000 along with the remaining T-72 and T-55s.
For Indian Air Force (IAF), the Rafale fighter jets, will prove to be a "game-changer" as they have the capability that no enemy can interfere in the air operations. These are nuclear capable and can engage in both air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. The first Rafale fighter jet will be delivered to the Indian Air Force next month (September) as per schedule and all the 36 Rafale jets will be delivered within the next two years. Besides, new version of Sukhoi-M30 and Tejas will soon arrive to replace the older aircrafts which are in need of an upgrade. Moreover, the MiG-21 Bison which is the main operational aircraft of Air Force today has significantly upgraded capabilities much advanced than the old MiG-21’s.
IAF is now significantly modernised and its capabilities were very much visible in the two ‘Surgical strikes’ on terrorist camps in some areas of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. With the addition of Laser Designator Pod (LDP) - which is the laser sensor-cum-targeting system-- in all aircraft fleets, the air striking capability has been vastly improved. Only the Mirage 2000 had it during the Kargil war, now the Jaguar, upgraded MiG-27 and Sukhoi-30s have it. Induction of UAVs, Refuelers and Evacs (aeromedical evacuation system) is an indication that IAF has come ahead a big time.
On the maritime front, India is well aware that the challenges require improvement of infrastructure for both operational capability and security of sea lanes. At present, 90 per cent of India’s trade by volume and 77 per cent by value are seaborne. Furthermore, naval modernization of hostile neighbouring countries is at a faster pace; this has raised India’s concerns. The government has approved induction of six submarines and 56 new ships besides the 32 vessels which are being built.
As India rises in stature, economically and technologically towards a more eminent position in the world, it has to concurrently build on its military power with state-of-art equipment to thwart any threats or challenges from potential adversaries.
Script: Uttam Kumar Biswas, Defence Analyst
The modernisation process of the Indian Army has been explicitly spelt out in the Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) which will cover the period up to 2027. Emphasis is being given to deliver projects which are made in India so as to enhance the indigenous capability. With the Government’s proactive attitude, efforts are being made to stick to timelines. Leading private players are also being brought into defence production sector. The Government has rolled out the strategic partnership (SP) model which will allow Indian private sector companies to form joint ventures with foreign defence majors to build fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines and main battle tanks in India. To enhance war-fighting capabilities of the Armed forces the Government has also taken several far reaching reforms. The measures are being viewed as most significant in decades, include downsizing of the second largest standing Army in the world and make it “leaner and meaner”, besides equipping the force with modern platforms and weapons.
A key programme, F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier as a System) is aimed at providing soldiers with state-of-the-art weaponry and combat gear. This is scheduled to be completed by 2020. Last year the Army had procured M777 howitzers and K9 Vajra. The recently concluded deal with Russia worth over Rs. 13,500 crore for procurement of 464 T-90 tanks will increase the number of T-90s in the Army to close to 2,000 along with the remaining T-72 and T-55s.
For Indian Air Force (IAF), the Rafale fighter jets, will prove to be a "game-changer" as they have the capability that no enemy can interfere in the air operations. These are nuclear capable and can engage in both air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. The first Rafale fighter jet will be delivered to the Indian Air Force next month (September) as per schedule and all the 36 Rafale jets will be delivered within the next two years. Besides, new version of Sukhoi-M30 and Tejas will soon arrive to replace the older aircrafts which are in need of an upgrade. Moreover, the MiG-21 Bison which is the main operational aircraft of Air Force today has significantly upgraded capabilities much advanced than the old MiG-21’s.
IAF is now significantly modernised and its capabilities were very much visible in the two ‘Surgical strikes’ on terrorist camps in some areas of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. With the addition of Laser Designator Pod (LDP) - which is the laser sensor-cum-targeting system-- in all aircraft fleets, the air striking capability has been vastly improved. Only the Mirage 2000 had it during the Kargil war, now the Jaguar, upgraded MiG-27 and Sukhoi-30s have it. Induction of UAVs, Refuelers and Evacs (aeromedical evacuation system) is an indication that IAF has come ahead a big time.
On the maritime front, India is well aware that the challenges require improvement of infrastructure for both operational capability and security of sea lanes. At present, 90 per cent of India’s trade by volume and 77 per cent by value are seaborne. Furthermore, naval modernization of hostile neighbouring countries is at a faster pace; this has raised India’s concerns. The government has approved induction of six submarines and 56 new ships besides the 32 vessels which are being built.
As India rises in stature, economically and technologically towards a more eminent position in the world, it has to concurrently build on its military power with state-of-art equipment to thwart any threats or challenges from potential adversaries.
Script: Uttam Kumar Biswas, Defence Analyst
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