The Indian Air Force (IAF) marked its 90th Anniversary this October 8, sharing the pride with Indians across the board, and then there is the Defexpo 2022 being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with its focus on Indian companies and Make in India campaign towards Atmanirbharta, or Self Reliance.
The concept for Self Reliance in Defence was always there and I remember having spoken in a debate during my college days in the late 1960s. Many state run companies were set up and in the Cinema Halls, there were news reels also on India’s efforts in civil nuclear research under Dr Homi Bhabha. It was in 1974 that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a Peaceful Nuclear Test (PNE) to demonstrate India’s capability, and later, in 1989, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi ordered weaponisation of the nuclear capability. Successful nuclear tests could be conducted though during Mr AB Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister on 11 May 1998.
One hopes that nuclear bombs are never used except for deterrence, and conventional, albeit advanced, weapon systems are developed and deployed to engage and neutralize threats.
This is where, for the first time, under Prime Minister Natrendra Modi, the Government is going all out for indigenous production and Make in India, where necessary by collaborating with foreign biggies.
India is among the biggest importers of Defence equipment, and it makes ample sense to secure advanced technologies either outright, or as part of Offsets, or through joint ventures. Collaborations would not only help Indian companies to meet the domestic demands of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force as well as paramilitary bodies but also lead the way for exports. Any successful business warrants imports to be balanced by exports.
This also requires strong discipline towards precision manufacturing; and that is something in which Indian public sector companies particularly need to pay attention. High Technology and advanced systems can fail even with an error or .001 percent.
Coming back to IAF, the annual Fly Past was moved away from New Delhi to Chandigarh, the beautiful city built to the designs of famous French architect Le Corbusier. IAF flew with full glory over the Lake there, a delightful sight I missed despite my love for the city I have frequented over my lifetime and also studied there.
IAF displayed some hi-tech in drones, and they would be the flavor at the Defexpo also.
The Government has taken a policy decision now to hold the annual IAF Day
(October 8), Army Day (January 15), and possibly Navy Day (December 4) ceremonies to different parts of the country to share their pomp and show with people elsewhere.
At the Defexpo 2022, being held in Mr Modi’s home turf, I hope some big decisions are announced by the Prime Minister towards speedy acquisition of various systems required by the three Services and to the extent possible, their gradual indigenization, It is Diwalli season; so let it be a festive time for the armed forces also.
— Gulshan Rai Luthra
