Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'India’s defense made still stronger by DRDO' that was published in Newsband

India’s defense made still stronger by DRDO

India’s intercontinental ballistic missile, Agni V, has been turned into an even more potent weapon of war – thanks to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This missile is capable of sending a nuclear warhead to targets over 5,000 km away — thereby bringing much of China within its reach.  

But the thing is these missile containers can be detected by spy satellites passing overhead and belonging to US and Russia. However, India’s strategic planners will need to bear in mind the fact that Pakistan and China have deployed nuclear weapons on their missiles in a way that goes beyond conventional nuclear deterrence.

Making ICBM versatile is indeed a great achievement by our defence scientists. This is the right thing to do when our neighbouring countries (Pakistan and China) are busy making nuclear war heads.

These modern delivery systems of nuclear weapons are actually harbingers of peace. It is only our deterrence and ability to strike back that keep our enemies at bay.

Our focus should be both on the economic and defense fronts; the former to raise the living standards and the latter to protect the masses. DRDO is doing a commendable job. It is time to emulate its success on other key fronts like industry, agriculture, healthcare and sanitation.

Social Development is necessary but with that the defence is equally important. If we are not secure enough there will be no peace and stability thus no development. Surrounded by two more or less hostile neighbours, Defence research is very important.

It is quite satisfactory to note that Indian scientists have mastered missile as well as satellite technology. This will act as a deterrent in case of any adversity. At the same time, it is surprising to note that we have not been able to replicate the success in conventional warfare weaponry and avionics. It is high time to increase focus on this aspect so as to reduce dependence on imports.

When an Indian TV anchor had asked the  former president and chief of army staff of Pak about the Kargil war, he replied that the Kargil war was a lesson to India for its interference in Bangladesh war. Though India won Kargil war, it appears that Pak is happy about the number of causalities on our side. Kargil is a similar enactment of 1962 war by China after a handshake with Nehru.

Unpredictable neighbors and also many other artillery masters of the world are proud of the possession of apocalyptic weapons of mass destruction to alter the destiny of human being on the earth. A sadistic pleasure at the expense of peace. Parallel catering of conventional and continental scale weapon is the way ahead.

Anyway, the fact that an enemy of India may not be able to destroy India's nuclear arsenal through a preemptive strike may give it pause from launching such strike. This could prevent war.