Our defence ministry needs to be strengthened
In matter of defence, the government
had set the reforms ball rolling on
many fronts. To get an idea of the
magnitude of the tasks at hand, defence deals worth crores are stuck for want
of documentation on strategic partnerships. This entails spelling out the specialisations
of Indian corporate players so that foreign partners can forge tie-ups without
running from pillar to post for the requisite information.
At the heart of defense
ministry’s new agenda is a Make in India dispensation for defence, bolstered by
significant foreign investment and know-how — a shift away from large-scale
imports. The ministry earlier had set an ambitious
target of $2 billion defence exports by 2019, against a mere $330 million at present.
This was a good move. ‘One rank one
pension’ issue which had been hanging fire for a decade should be looked into.
The defense ministry is required
to implement wide-ranging reforms, besides being alert to geopolitical threats
and changing realities. The ministry should not disturb
the institutional balance of power between the armed forces and the Government,
which has been one of the strengths of our democracy. Defence Ministry is the
most important department. A defence minister, besides being informed, clean
and committed, should not overlook this aspect.
While importance of
defense ministry cannot be ignored, media should not get over excited. Defense
policies and process take time. Even if procured indigenously, these are time
bound decisions and executions. Media should exercise some restraint while reporting
on defense sector and not indulge in scare mongering.
The DRDO is functioning
in snail pace without innovations and major arms and ammunitions are procured
through imports. In spite of the full governance of the Defence Minister, terrorists
had free walk and attack on Pathankot and Uri. At this juncture we are having
absolute strained relationship with Pakistan the troubling neighbour and
quarelling with China on border issues. The Prime Minister has strengthen the
post and make it able to cope up with the existing State Ministers.
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