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the way of procurement and training at all levels. Procurement of weapons is best conveyed through the media as DAC decisions – FULL STOP. Basic weapons such as the personal weapons of a soldier are no match for what is easily even available to an insurgent in the NE. A Mind-shift towards defence expenditure is necessary; combined with a drive towards indigenous manufacturing capability – the contribution of defence expenditure to the economy must be understood – it would create jobs, rev up the economy, etc. The militaryindustrial complex in the US would be a good model to understand the methodology of development, yet an INDIAN
Methodology would need to be evolved as currently none of the policies/initiatives has fructified anything worthwhile on the ground.
Importantly, while the major decisions (or the lack of it) come from the bureaucracy, there is no responsibility attached – necessitating a relook at the way the defence of the country is administered
Civilian supremacy has been a given in our context but functional issues such as parity of ranks, pay & allowances, functional working with the bureaucracy etc have been strong irritants affecting the growth of the military power of the country. Also importantly, while the major decisions (or the lack of it) come from the bureaucracy there is no responsibility attached – necessitating a relook at the way the defence of the country is administered.
With the ongoing geopolitical situation – an unstable Pakistan and Afghanistan, and China flexing its muscles – the transformation should have come yesterday. While the article has just BULLETED the issues, it would require a team with a very professional approach led by a capable leadership to manifest the contours of the transformation.
Military-Civil Relations
– The author is an analyst with interest in matters related to military and military space domain
Raksha Anirveda january - march 2022
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