Form powerless valor to well equipped modernized defense: India changed the definition of arm power
India is land of the bravery and valor. With the underlined principle of peaceful co-existence and universal brotherhood, India always used the way of peace and cooperation, but this never meant that India is weak. India is the land of brave heroes. Indian Army is synonymous to bravery and gallantry.
But, modernization of Indian Arm forces is one of the most stuck and undiscussed issues in India. Till the date, India fought almost 7 wars, in which India won the 6 wars, but still, the post-independence era witnessed only ignorance and neglection towards Indian arm forces.
Due to excessive peace-love and belief on human conscious, some Indian experts expressed that, Armforces are the big obstacle in the development of India. Even, India’s first and longest serving Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru stated that ‘India doesn’t need forces because India is the peace-loving country’. Because of such views, the Indian army is forlone form all the modernization and weaponization which is a necessity as per the time change.
Due to this constant ignorance, Ministry of Defense become an easy target for corruption and frauds. There are only two leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atal Bihari Vajpayee who actually talked about modernization and rejuvenation of Indian arms forces.
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But in last five year, there are tremendous changes occurred in Indian arms forces, particularly after the 2014 election, the Modi led NDA government took many initiatives for modernization and updating of Indian arms forces. As per the report of ‘Economic Times’ 11 July 2018, in the last 3 years, India signed almost 182 defense agreements which include indigenous weaponry manufacturing and weaponry imports from partner countries. In this year’s budget, the Indian government allotted 5 trillion for Indian arms forces. This move is appreciated as “Acche Din” (Good days) for Indian arms forces.
The most important decisions taken by the Modi government for the welfare of Indian arms forces-
*Indian AirForce-
One of the most powerful airforces of the world, Indian airforce is suffering problems due to lack of modernization. Still today, Indian Airforce use outdated and old-fashioned aircraft. Even India’s archenemy, Pakistan has more advanced Warcraft. But now, the Indian government is working for the advancement of weaponry, from 1983, India started this initiative but the real success got after 2014.
- Rafal deal-
Rafale deal of India is one of the most criticized and discussed deal in India as well as in the world. ‘Dassault Aviation’, the world-famous aviation company cracked a deal with Modi government for the purchase of 36 Rafale planes. India wants this delivery on an urgent basis. as per the deal, the French government accepted to fetch the order till August 2019. Actually, the initiative of purchasing Rafale was first time discussed in UPA-2 era, but due to lack of political will, the agreement never signed. But in 2014, PM Modi took this matter in hand and in his first France official visit, he signed the agreement. This whole issue was handled with efficiency. This move by Modi was lauded by Air Force. Due to Rafale entry in Air Force squad going to increase India’s potential in air warfare.
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- Apache Helicopter-
In September 2015, the Indian government brought Apache AH-64 for Army. After negotiations with America, the Indian government brought 28 aircraft in 2 stages. These Apache helicopters are equipped with modern weaponry. These aircraft are arriving soon in the Indian AirForce. As per the agreement, America promised to deliver these aircraft until 2020.
- Chinook Helicopter-
The Hollywood famous Chinook CH-47 is now the part of Indian aircraft. In 2015, India ordered 15 Chinook Helicopters from America. 4 of this already arrive in India in February this year. Other is coming soon in India. The weight carrying capacities is one of the most important characteristics of a Chinook Helicopter so that these helicopters are best in rescue operations and other disaster management discourses.
- Tejas-
The project which is on the hold on for several years, Tejas, the indigenous aircraft finally be a part of Indian Air Force. Under the ‘Made in India’, Indian government manufactured 2 Tejas Helicopters and handed over to Air Force. In fact, the Tejas’ production process was started in 1984, in spite of the Indian MiG-21 fighter aircraft being launched by the Indian government to create enthusiasm and indigenous fighter aircraft. But after this, there is no progress achieved by this initiative. Again in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s era, he named these indigenous aircraft as ‘Tejas’. But after Vajpayee’s government, again this project ignored. After a long time, in 2014, Modi Government started this project again, and completed in record time and handed over to Air Force. In the test flight, Tejas recorded speed of 1350 kmph, so that Tejas is a 1st indigenous supersonic airplane.
*Indian Army-
India and Pakistan are the arch-enemies of each other. Due to this antagonism, border area and Jammu & Kashmir are always under the shadow of war. After Independence, India suffered a lot due to terrorism, naxalist movement, and other problematic factors. In these wars, thousands of soldiers martyred. So the demand for modernization of Army is repeated several times on different platforms. After 2014, Modi government special attention to this issue.
- M-777 Howitzer-
Purchase of M-777 is one of the most important decisions taken by the Indian government for modernization of Indian arm forces. In his maiden visit to America, PM Modi signed the agreement for the purchase of M-777 Howitzer. According to this agreement, India acquired 145 M-777 in which some are handed over the to Indian Army. After 1980, this is the first purchase of such powerful canons. M-777 are light-weight and have a hitting power up to 40 km. Due to fewer weights, these cannons are easy to carry. M-777 is mainly stationed alongside Pakistan and China borders. Along with M-777, today India has Dhanush, Houbits HF-77 (Bofors) and M-46 cannons.
- K-9 Vajra-
K-9 Vajra is an Indian version of Korea made K-9 Thunder. PM Modi signed an agreement for obtaining of this artillery from North Korea in his Korea visit. The almost 50 Billion worth dealing, India brought 100 K-9 thunder tanks. India also negotiated with N.Korea for indigenous made Tanks with technological help. Indigenous Tanks named as ‘K-9 Vajra’. Till today, the India Army acquired 25 K-9 tanks. With long distance hitting capacity and 65 kmph speed makes K-9 Vajra the real hero in Indian artilleries.
- Bulletproof Jackets and vehicles-
From the last 9 years, the Indian Army demanding the Bullet-proof jackets. After a long waiting period, finally, in 2016, the Indian government approved the purchase of 1.36 lakh bullet-proof jackets. For this demand, Indian government allotted 639 crores and soon these jackets will be handed over to the Army. Along with this, to protect from bullet attacks, India government approved the manufacturing of 100 bullet-proof vehicles.
- AK-103 Riffles-
Along with Bullet-proof jackets, the Indian government also approved the purchase of AK-103 Asalt riffles. In 2018, the Indian government signed the contract with Russia for 6.50 lakh Riffles.
- Along with all this new ammunition, the Indian government sanctioned 20,000 crores for purchase of munitions. Along with this Indian government also brought the laws which will instantly achieve the necessities of the army. The Indian government also release some powers and dispersed more authorities to head of forces.
*Indian Navy-
The increased influence of China in the Indian Ocean is one of the biggest concern for India. Only the Indian Navy has the power to limit this Chinese expansionistic approach in the Asian country. For this rising threat from China, the Indian Navy was demanding modernization from many decades.
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- Indigenous Submarines-
In the Modi era, India started to manufacture the Submarines on a larger scale. Earlier, in 2005, UPA govt. signed agreement with France for Scorpion-class Submarine. With this agreement, India started to produce the submarine on own. As per the agreement, these submarines are supposed to hand over to Navy by 2012, but unfortunately, till 2014, this work was undone. After 2014, the Indian government took more interest in the production of submarines. And within the 3 years, India produced INS Kalvari (S50), INS Karanj and INS Khanderi, these three submarines handed out to Navy. These submarines are indigenous and with modern technology, are now functional on Bhar coastal line. Now, India is engaged in manufacturing more three submarines, in the near future, those will be handed to the Indian Navy.
- Project 17A and 11356-
For manufacturing the frigates as per the need of the Indian Navy, India initiated the project 17A and 11356. Under these projects, India will produce 11 modernized frigates, from which 7 will be totally made in India and other 4 will be produced with the help of Russia. Within 4-5 years, these frigates will be handed to the Indian Navy.
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- P8I Poseidon-
For enhancing Naval power, India agreed to purchase P8I Poseidon aircraft. P8I Poseidon has capacities like a modernized Radar system, watching system with anti-submarine missiles with power to launch from the land. This Radar can detect the hidden submarines, and can also destruct these submarines, this destructive power will challenge Chinese hidden submarines.
With all these amenities, the Indian government also started various project for securing borders which includes the development of missiles like Bramhos, Barak, Agni, Akash, Pinak along with other indigenous missiles. Development of roads alongside India-China border, development of airports and establishment of soldiers’ bases are also the priorities for India. India brought modernized defense system like S-400 from Russia with the promise that Russia will never sell this to Pakistan.
In the last 4 years, India continuously emphasized on creating her supremacy in the world. This military supremacy started to reflect on the International spectrum. Because of this amplified power and strong government, the world is appreciating India. After Doklam victory, China also has a strong impression on India’s military preparedness. All the decisions taken by the Indian government in the last five years are certainly created confidence in everyone’s mind.
COURTESY:- NEWS BHRATI
