Letters: Preparedness is key

The editorial, "Raise the defence budget" (October 13) shows that the Indian military remains worryingly unprepared for escalation, especially when faced with obvious threats from, say, a more assertive China.

It's a matter of grave concern that over 85 per cent of the country's defence capital budget is spent on pre-committed items, with little money left to buy anything new.

The editorial lists several key areas where our visible unpreparedness may prove disastrous and even humiliating. It also highlights with the aid of statistics successive budgetary mismatch between defence requirements and availability of funds required for the purpose. It must be kept in mind that optimal defence preparedness cannot happen overnight.

Moreover, taking short cuts doesn't bode well for astute and well-intentioned defence planning and the simultaneous acquisition of various equipment, including fighter jets, warships, submarines, air defence units, artillery, tanks and ammunition. Lackadaisical attitude on this front could wreak havoc on national security. The need of the hour is to rise to the occasion.

This apart, the allocated money should be channelled into the most desirable and productive uses in a time-bound manner. The era of not honouring deadlines in the delivery of key weaponry has to end.

However, the fact that the government is now actively engaging the private sector in defence production augurs well for the country. The latest case is the agreement for acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter planes from France, with L&T also joining hands with the plane's manufacturers to ensure timely supplies.

There is no substitute for 24x7 defence preparedness.

S Kumar, New Delhi

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