On completing 100 days of the Modi 3.0 Government, the Defence Sector has significant achievements to its credit, and the key national security issues have been given adequate priority and push. With Shri Rajnath Singh at the helm as Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri), there is continuity in the thought process and impetus to actionable issues in the defence and security-related areas. Modi 3.0 government has quickly taken certain critical decisions from the security perspective and these are being taken to logical conclusion.
The top priority remains self-reliance in the defence sector. As part of the larger Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Modi government, the focus is on manufacturing defence weapons, equipment, ammunition and support systems in India. While the Russian military hardware is still more than 60% of our total defence imports, Modi government has given impetus to self-reliance in defence right from the first term in 2014. It was a slow process in the Modi 1.0 government.
However, two major initiatives of the Modi 2.0 government have enabled the country’s defence industry’s growth. In October 2021, the Ministry of Defence converted the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) into seven 100 per cent Government-owned corporate entities. Before this, OFB was largely a sick enterprise that made little contribution to manufacturing world-class arms, ammunition, and equipment. The Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have already been profitable in less than three years. The second major reform was to encourage the participation of the private industry. Private companies have significantly contributed to defence production in the last five years. Indian private companies have manufactured armament and equipment matching global standards, and these companies already account for about 25 per cent of the total defence production, with a major chunk going into the exports.
Raksha Mantri also informed that the government was taking all steps to make India a developed nation by 2047. The defence will continue to receive the priority it deserves. He said that in the last three months of the Modi 3.0 government, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has decided to procure items worth Rs. 1.5 lakh crore for the armed forces. A major chunk of this allocation will be procured through the indigenous route. Towards this end, another 346 items have added to the list of strategically important products to be Made in India. The DPSUs and the private industry have been encouraged to manufacture all these items in India.
Shri Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri) visited the US from 22-26 August 24. The visit proved to be significant and pathbreaking in more ways than one. Another milestone was reached during this visit when India and US signed the Security of Supply Agreement (SoSA). Under this deal, India and the US agree to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence. The arrangement will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chains to meet national security needs. Such an agreement is a rarity as we give such privilege to major NATO powers. After the visit of the RM, the MOD signed a repeat order of 73,000 more SIG-716 assault rifles from Sig Sauer of the US, to be delivered by the end of 2025. Eventually, India plans to manufacture assault rifles with transfer of technology.
Another encouraging feature of self-reliance is a renewed push for Start-Ups dealing with the defence sector. It has been given impetus through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) as part of Ministry of Defence initiative, wherein a budding start-up can be given up to Rs 10 crore in aid by the government. The results have been encouraging. Today, about 200 start-ups are involved with the Indian Armed Forces. Indian Army, in particular, has benefitted a lot in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)and Drones of various sizes, capabilities and utilities. Many of these UAVs are already being tested in the border areas, mountains, jungles and high-altitude terrain. They have also been put to use in fighting terrorism. Indian Navy is developing remotely operated vehicles for underwater inspections and weaponised unmanned boats for specific maritime operations. But, the start-up ecosystem is still in its infancy, and the Modi 3.0 government has to handhold the innovative push for cutting-edge breakthrough in defence technology.
Prime Minister cleared all the doubts about the Agnipath Scheme during the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas from the heights of Dras on 26 July 24. He eased the apprehensions that the Agnipath Scheme was designed to save the pensionary bill. He once again highlighted that the scheme is meant to ensure youthful profile of Agniveers and soldiers. He also lamented the fact that issues of national security are being politicised. The Agnipath Scheme is a transformational intake mode for soldiers, and it needs to be carefully monitored for successful implementation in true spirit of the scheme. After the PM’s statement, all the BJP-ruled states announced reservations for Agniveers in state police and other state government departments. Paramilitary forces have already announced 10 per cent reservation in their force for the Agniveers. Yes, the scheme may have some infirmities in terms & conditions. Modi 3.0 government has already indicated that it is ready to look into the issues related to Agniveers, in the nation’s best interest.
Another major grievance of the service pensioners has been addressed through One Rank One Pension (OROP) Revised Table 3 announced in September this year. Effective 1 July 2024, the revised pensions will benefit more than 30 lakh eligible personnel. In addition, the outlay for defence in the budget presented by the Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on 23 July 2024 stood at Rs 6.22 lakh crore, including defence pensions of Rs 1.41 lakh crore. Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh welcomed the budget and congratulated the finance minister for presenting an outstanding budget for the nation’s defence. The total allocation of Rs 6.22 lakh crore is approximately 12.9 per cent of the total budget outlay for 2024-25.
The breakdown of the Defence Budget in the major heads has been planned meticulously. The modernisation of the Armed Forces has been allocated 1.72 lakh crores. The revenue budget for pay & allowances, fuel, ammunition and maintenance has been given 2.82 lakh crore. Defence pensions account for 1.41 lakh crore, supporting approximately 30 lakh defence & civilian defence employees’ pensionemployees’ benefits. The government has already improved the OROP Scheme, which shows its commitment to the welfare of the veterans. The defence budget includes Rs 23,855 crore to DRDO, Rs 7652 crore to Indian Coast Guard, Rs 6500 crore to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Rs 6968 crore for the Ex Servicemen Welfare Scheme. Even NCC, with a pan-India presence, has a much higher allocation of Rs 2740 crore, partly funded by the state governments. Thus, the defence budget is a healthy mix of catering the needs of men, material and future requirements.
On the security front, the Indian Army has already taken steps to ensure a peaceful environment for elections in J&K. The first phase on 18 September has already seen record turnout of voters. After some initial setbacks, the counter-terrorism operations in the Jammu region have also started showing positive results. In Manipur, the Indian Army operates under trying circumstances to maintain peace. In the Eastern Ladakh, India has stood firm and finally China is more inclined to accept our point of view on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The evil designs of Pakistan have been kept under check, and the Indian Armed Forces are concentrating on dealing with the merging threat from China.
Overall, the security situation on our borders and coastline is stable and controlled.
After the recently concluded Joint Commanders Conference in Lucknow in the first week of September this year, Indian Armed Forces will likely go in for Theatre Command structure. Under a theatre command, the assets and manpower of the Army, Navy and Air Force will be organised so that they can stay and fight together in the true spirit of jointmanship. After securing the threats from Pakistan and China along the borders, the theatre commands still would have the inherent ability to operate overseas. To be a global player in international affairs, particularly in the leadership role of Global South, India has to acquire the capability to intervene militarily to protect its strategic interests. India has not changed its stated policy of non-expansionism. Still, the, defence forces have to be prepared for the new security challenges, which are not necessarily confined to the land and maritime borders.
The first hundred days of the Modi 3.0 government have put India on the right path of defence modernisation, human resource management and welfare of serving soldiers and veterans. Given the uncertain security situation prevailing in the world, Indian Armed Forces have to remain prepared for all situations and contingencies. India needs motivated soldiers led by competent and dynamic leaders at various levels of command. The man, the machine and the motivation will be key battle-winning factors. The respect for a soldier in the society should always remain paramount, and a grateful nation should always honour its military with the highest acknowledgement that the Modi 3.0 government has shown its connection and commitment to the Indian Armed Forces. The reforms and actions to make India the most formidable nation militarily remain critical for the quest of Viksit Bharat @2047.
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