11-28-2007, 11:11 AM
In Defense matters two serious developments have been reported in the media during the last one week. The first is that the Russian Government has asked for a huge price escalation for the aircraft carrier that India has committed to purchase from that country. The second news relates to the fact that out of the 30 Sea Harrier jets inducted in the Indian Navy, only 15 age left as rest of them have crashed.
Both these developments should not be taken as isolated incidents. They reflect the pitfall of delayed decision making by the Government in matters of defense supplies and up gradations. The same is the case with the plan to induct modern artillery guns and the plan to acquire 125 combat aircrafts.
Since the Bafor scandal , every Government has been shying away from taking quick decisions on any case of defense procurements. There is too much deliberation and leaks in the press which in the long run is bound to hamper the defense preparedness of our forces. It is high time that the political leadership should put in place some mechanism so that these procurements are speeded up and cuts & commissions are brought to the minimum.
One has to remember that there is intense competition between defense suppliers and as such many stories of corruption or likely corruption are often planted in the media. Of course, a few of them have been proved to be based on actual facts , so all such reports need not be completely ignored. At the same time, there is no need to unnecessary get into a panic and to cause delay in taking decision on matters of urgent defense procurement. I do not think, the situation in India has come to such a state that we cannot line up two dozen honest armament and financial experts to select and finalize defense deals.
Both these developments should not be taken as isolated incidents. They reflect the pitfall of delayed decision making by the Government in matters of defense supplies and up gradations. The same is the case with the plan to induct modern artillery guns and the plan to acquire 125 combat aircrafts.
Since the Bafor scandal , every Government has been shying away from taking quick decisions on any case of defense procurements. There is too much deliberation and leaks in the press which in the long run is bound to hamper the defense preparedness of our forces. It is high time that the political leadership should put in place some mechanism so that these procurements are speeded up and cuts & commissions are brought to the minimum.
One has to remember that there is intense competition between defense suppliers and as such many stories of corruption or likely corruption are often planted in the media. Of course, a few of them have been proved to be based on actual facts , so all such reports need not be completely ignored. At the same time, there is no need to unnecessary get into a panic and to cause delay in taking decision on matters of urgent defense procurement. I do not think, the situation in India has come to such a state that we cannot line up two dozen honest armament and financial experts to select and finalize defense deals.