By Akash Pandey :
Recently on 21st june 2021 the first ever drone attack in India was reported at an Indian Airforce station in Jammu.
Reportedly two explosive Laden drones crashed into Jammu air base causing two explosions. This area is a very secure area and an explosion happening at this place puts a question on Indian defence system.
Hence let us understand what is Indian defence system and how is it working so to have a clear vision of our defence we need to go back to history
Military history of India
The Army of India was raised under the British raj in 19 Century by taking the erstwhile, Presidency Armies, merging them, and bringing them under the Crown. The British Indian Army fought in both world war. After getting Independence, the Republic of India has fought for war with Pakistan and one border war with China.
Recent developments
In contemporary times, Indian Military ranks second in terms of number of troops after China . The Paramilitary unit of Republic of India is the world’s largest paramilitary force at over 1 million strong. Eager to portray itself as a potential superpower India began an intense faces of upgrading its armed forces in 1990s. India focuses on developing indigenous military equipment rather than relying on other countries for supplies.
Ministry of Defence
The Government of India is responsible for ensuring the defence of India and every part thereof. The supreme commander of the armed forces vests in the President. The responsibility for National Defence rests with the cabinet.
This is discharge to the ministry of defence which provides the policy framework and wherewithal to Armed forces to discharge their Responsibility in context of the defence of ththe country. The Raksha Mantri is head of the ministry of defence.
The principal task of the defence ministry is to obtain policy directions of the government of all defence and security related matters and communicate them for implementation to the services headquarters ,inter-services organisation, production, establishment and R&D.
Challenges before Indian defence planners
Taking into account the changing nature of threats in the emerging political scenario, India has to focus on building capacity for continuous modernization of the Armed forces. The policy priority for the Indian defence establishment should be to ensure that it maximizes its indigenous production while also ensures the availability of quality defence equipment.
India Today faces the most complex Threads and challenges that range from nuclear to sab conventional spectrum of conflict. Issues such as unresolved territorial disputes with China and Pakistan, the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, and the North Eastern States, the growing menac of left-wing extremism and the rising threat of urban terrorism has further exaggerated India’s security environment.
In the regional security milieu, it has clearly insured that China poses the most potent military threat to India given the advantages it has over India in nuclear , missile and military hardware. Moreover, China-Pakistan nexus between the two has increased the probability that India might face a two front war in future .
India’s indigenous defence production capabilities have however not grown because of a number of challenges. There is a lack of Greater political will that has severely affected decision making in terms of acquiring weapons as per the need of Armed forces. The Indian defence suffers because of of Under utilisation of human resources that has negatively affected India’s Defence R&D base. Because of unfriendly Defence industrial procurement system it has resulted in few co- development and co-production ventures with foreign firms.
Lack of conducive financial Framework for the local individual to do business in the defence sector especially, the private sector has also negatively impacted private participation in the defence sector.
Therefore, the need for augmentation of defence capabilities i.e land ,air and sea capabilities is being largely reflected in the Indian policy towards defence modernization today to meet challenges that emanate from both traditional and non-traditional threats which pose serious threat to India’s national security.
Need of the hour
Urgent focus of the Indian government should be to encourage private individuals and entities in India that could contribute in indigenous defence production . This would mean that India would achieve its goal of self – reliance only if it allows more private players in India to participate in the defence sector and the true potential of Indian minds are utilised.
Also, initiating and implementing further defence reforms, such as streamlining procurement and offset policy and introducing new your position and staff for better policy coordination would be essential if India wants to reduce the qualitative and quantitative gap between its defence industrial base with that of the major powers.
Conclusion
India is a new and self -reliant country and it will surely become one of the superpowers in coming future and these types of drone attacks would be faced in a more effective way and we would look for more technological advancement so that all the actions are traced and the country remains safe. After all, self defence is the eldest law.