Every sovereign nation has the right to self-defense so that that nation can protect its integrity as well as ensure the freedom of its citizens. The recent Russia-Ukraine conflict and China’s expansionist policies prove that for the security of any nation, it is necessary to ensure its military security.
But in the present unstable and conflicting world, the arms race has grown in such a way that the world has reached a catastrophic crisis situation today. The Sweden-based organization ‘Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’ has said in its recent report that “the military spending of the countries of the world has reached its best level in 2021”. At present, the world’s total military expenditure is $ 2113 billion, which is the highest in the last seven years. The latest report shows that India ranks third in terms of global military spending, America is at number one and China is at number two. The report said that in the year 2021, the United States, China, India, Britain and Russia have spent big budgets on the defense sector. It accounts for 62 per cent of the total defense spending globally.
The report states that India’s military expenditure in 2021 is $ 76.6 billion, which is 0.9 percent higher than 2020, while it has increased by more than 33 percent compared to 2012. India is now busy in strengthening the indigenous arms industry. In last year’s military budget, 64 per cent of the capital outlay was earmarked for the acquisition of domestically produced weapons.
At present, there are many challenges before India, for example, India is surrounded by two such neighboring countries, from whose side there is a constant security threat to India. Pakistan considers India as its big, its only target has been India. After independence, the leaders of India started moving forward believing in peace, but 1965, 1971 and Kargil war, Kashmir problem, terrorist incidents from time to time like Uri and Pulwama prove that Pakistan can never establish peace.
Similarly, China’s expansionist policy, the incidents of ‘Doklam’ and ‘Ladakh’, prove that India also needs strategic preparation on the Chinese front. Former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane remarked in 2020 that “the way the character of war has changed. Due to this, twentieth century tools like main battle tanks and fighter aircraft are on the way of departure and future victory cannot be measured by statistics.” rather than technical superiority.” In such a situation, it is necessary that India should be equipped with advanced technical and defense equipment.
After independence, India was completely dependent on imports in terms of military equipment. The reason being, the policy of the government at that time was such. After the Chinese invasion, India has paid special attention to its defense production. Defense expert Anil Gaur says that “India has been importing most of the military equipment from the very beginning. It is only in the last seven-eight years that India has taken important steps towards becoming ‘self-reliant in the defense sector’.
India has a double disadvantage of buying military equipment from other countries. Because these countries have different conditions for weapons, parts and technology and in this case the army never gets the parts, sometimes the weapons and America used to put ’embargo’ on their equipment. Its conditions are also strict.
France has emerged as a major defense ally of India for some time now. Many weapons and technology, including Rafale and submarines, are being taken from France by us.Although there has recently been news about the P-75 submarine that French companies are not joining it, before that Russia and German companies also distanced themselves from this defense deal citing India’s conditions and low price.
In such a situation, continuous efforts are being made by the government for self-reliance in the defense sector. Today, India is emphasizing on making the imported equipment on its own. We are selling BrahMos missile to other countries. The demand for defense products like Indian Rocket Launcher, Tejas Aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopter is increasing in other countries. In fact, now India is emphasizing on becoming an exporter instead of an importer in the defense sector. This is a major shift in Indian policy. India has set a target of $5 trillion economy by 2024-25. In that the export of defense sector can prove to be very helpful.
Today India is launching satellites of other countries, permission has been given to manufacture AK-203 assault rifles in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. These guns can be exported in the coming time. In the coming times, many other defense products will start being made in India itself. These steps will play an important role in making India self-reliant in military matters as well as becoming financially self-reliant.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently released the ‘third list’ of more than 101 military systems and weapons. The import of equipment included in this list will be banned for the next five years and will be developed indigenously.The list includes sensors, weapons, naval helicopters, light weight tanks, mounted artillery gun systems, patrol ships, ammunition, anti-ship missiles and anti-radiation missiles.
The first such list was released in August 2020. Its advantage is that it allows timely delivery of military equipment. The technology is updated. The example of a drone is in front, whose tender has been received by Indian firms.
Bengaluru-based firm Idea Forge has received the tender for Army Drone. Alpha Design Technologies, which has a contract with Israel, is also a master in making drones. Many other Indian firms are also competing globally in the matter of drones. Companies such as Rattan India Enterprises, Zen Technologies, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Paras Defense & Space and Eris Solutions Private Limited have also mastered the field of drone manufacturing.
Defense Minister Rajnath said in a media statement, “India’s objective is to promote self-reliance in the defense sector and export of military equipment. The ban on imports will encourage indigenization through the participation of the public and private sector. The country will move rapidly towards achieving these goals. India’s self-reliance in the defense sector does not mean working in isolation from the rest of the world. It means working in your country with their (foreign firms) active participation and support.
Therefore, in today’s volatile global environment, it is necessary for India to make efforts for world peace and become self-reliant in the defense sector.