India’s decision to buy the Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missile while rejecting the US offer of Javelin missiles contains a message that probably goes beyond the technicalities of technology transfer and competitive pricing.
Ever since the Narendra Modi government took over in the summer, there has been a distinct shift in foreign policy priorities. The Spike order, worth about Rs 3,200 crore, has been recommended despite US defence secretary Chuck Hagel lobbying for the Javelin in New Delhi.
Mr Modi not only met the Jewish lobby in the course of his UN-US visit, he also hit it off in a one-on-one meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister in September.
The shift has not upset any of the traditional ties either as India continues to depend on Russia as its biggest defence supplier. But, in the course of the latest modernisation phase crucial to preparedness in the wake of Pakistan’s intransigence and China’s belligerence on the border India is looking further afield for the latest defence technology, besides an infrastructural push on the China border.
In the estimation of defence analysts, the country is set to spend as much as Rs 15 lakh crore upgrading Soviet-era hardware. The defence purchase process may be convoluted but it is already clear that a firm nudge has been given in the direction of modernisation.
Time was lost in the regime of the previous defence minister, who seemed so conscious of his image of total integrity that defence purchases were held up to such an extent as to worry the military. That the process is being quickened now should do much for the morale of the armed forces.
