India is not prepared to face the pressures exerted by its north-western and northern neighbours. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha has been quite blunt in stating truths about his ageing fleet of fighters as the IAF is about to celebrate its 82nd anniversary.
It is apparent that India will have to tend to its air power on a war footing. It must be considered India’s good fortune that its eastern borders, with Bangladesh and Burma, are marked by problems of refugees and drug-running rather than a constant test of military preparedness.
The easing of tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control may have triggered great hope. The confrontations on the frontier during the visit of China’s powerful President, Xi Jinping, may have been puzzling. Looking for a place in history as one of his country’s greatest leaders, Mr Xi is trying to quickly establish total control over the People’s Liberation Army to douse the fires.
However, China will always compel India to engage on two fronts. Given Pakistan’s belligerence over Kashmir, the international border and the LoC will always bristle with problems for India.
India’s preparedness is a matter of national concern and it is as well that the highest ranking official of the armed forces has spoken up, although he did so only regarding the IAF rather than the armed forces in general.
The task of getting three vital wings of air power — the MMRCA, the Tejas light combat aircraft and a fleet of fifth-generation fighter aircraft — is mind-boggling considering how bogged down they are in red tape, corruption, and loss of traction and momentum in decision-making in the recent past. It is a far from happy position.
A PM actively monitoring issues dogging the armed forces is a sign that things may at last be moving. The previous government had left mountains to climb in terms of combat readiness in the Army, technological issues of maintenance in the Navy and a massive shortage in quality fighter jets in the Air Force.
The thrust for indigenisation is held up by the fact India is decades behind in technology and funds.
While China has assiduously built infrastructure in Ladakh and other areas abutting the LAC, we are still struggling to guard some of the highest places in the world. It is India’s good fortune that we have one of the most disciplined armed forces in the region. To equip them with the best technology is the least we should attempt, and as quickly as possible.
