The Augusta – Westland deal (3,500 crores for 12
helicopters) is yet another case of corruption in the Indian system. New names
keep cropping up regularly in the case, leaving the Defence Minister A.K.
Antony wringing his hands in helplessness.
The calls for involving private sector companies in building
defence equipment in India are getting louder. India has become the world’s
largest recipient of arms in recent years. On the other hand, China, which held
the top spot in 2006, has now fallen to fourth. Several TATA group companies,
L&T, Mahindra, Reliance and others are showing increasing capabilities in
developing defence equipment. The army, however, doesn’t seem too excited.
The Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO),
Defence PSUs (DPSU) and ordnance factory boards (OFBs) hold virtually a
monopoly in supplying arms to the Indian army. However, these entities are
plagued with corruption, inefficiency and bias. Less than 3% employees in the
DRDO hold a Ph.D. An acquaintance of mine has visited the DRDO a few years ago
and said a lot of time is spent by employees chatting, sleeping or lazing
around. All this while almost 30% procurement and 100% R&D for arms lies in
the DRDO’s hands. The DPSUs and OFBs are no better. This is a large point of
concern.
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| 3,500 crore for 12 choppers - Augusta Westland deal |
Senior officials say middlemen thrive in defence deals
because foreign companies do not have the bandwidth to wade through red tapism
and corruption in India. India must start developing in house defence
equipment. We can’t build all equipment ourselves; some arms still need to be
imported. But by doing this, India will reduce dependence on other nations and
corruption in this field. We are easily the best software exporters in the
world. That expertise can surely be utilized by the defence sector to develop
state-of-the-art arms and help India stand shoulder to shoulder with the world.
Our soldiers deserve to be better equipped wherever they are deployed.
What do you think?
UA-22264662-1
I believe so too...
ReplyDeleteIt is high time for the department of defense to start producing military equipments.This will enable India to generate revenue through sale of weapons and equipments to other countries...And when we have great minds here then why depend on another...
Very nice points raised, Sonia. Didn't look at it from that angle...
DeleteIts a question of the country's security Vishal and so quality is something which cannot be compromised...So with that intention in mind, the equipments would need to be procured!
ReplyDeleteTrue, Jaish... That's why this has to a phased process, but has to be done nonetheless...
Delete