Inder
A Vibrant Indian Military Industrial Complex Needed for Self Reliance
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About The Author :
Mr. Radhakrishna Rao has worked in the documentation and publications division of ISRO for about twenty years after obtaining a degree in science from Calicut University in Kerala. And for nearly two decades he has been writing extensively on issues concerning outer space, defence, aerospace, computers and communications. He has contributed to a number of national newspapers and international media including The Tribune, DNA, International Aerospace, Flight International, Air and Cosmos and Military Technology.
http://www.vifindia.org
© Vivekananda International Foundation
A Vibrant Indian Military Industrial Complex Needed for Self Reliance
3 of 18
A Vibrant Indian Military Industrial Complex Needed for Self Reliance
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), today India is world’s largest arms importer with country’s spending on defence hovering between 2.3% and 3% of GDP. While India’s massive spending on import of weapons and defence hardware reflect the keenness to modernize its armed forces and equip them with the capability to take care of the Indian interests beyond the subcontinent, there is a concern that the country which has demonstrated its prowess in space exploration and positioned itself as a software hub of global standing, has failed to acquire self reliance in the vital sector of defence production.
Self-Reliance: Need of the Hour
Indeed, the fact that today India imports bout 70% of its defence equipment makes for a very weak case in the quest to transform the country into a global military power. As observed by Dr.Amer Latif, Visiting Fellow at Wadhwani Chair for US- India policy at Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), “India believes strongly that providing for its own requirements is indicative of being a global power.” Of course, the policy of India’s Ministry of Defence
2 of 18
About The Author :
Mr. Radhakrishna Rao has worked in the documentation and publications division of ISRO for about twenty years after obtaining a degree in science from Calicut University in Kerala. And for nearly two decades he has been writing extensively on issues concerning outer space, defence, aerospace, computers and communications. He has contributed to a number of national newspapers and international media including The Tribune, DNA, International Aerospace, Flight International, Air and Cosmos and Military Technology.
http://www.vifindia.org
© Vivekananda International Foundation
A Vibrant Indian Military Industrial Complex Needed for Self Reliance
3 of 18
A Vibrant Indian Military Industrial Complex Needed for Self Reliance
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), today India is world’s largest arms importer with country’s spending on defence hovering between 2.3% and 3% of GDP. While India’s massive spending on import of weapons and defence hardware reflect the keenness to modernize its armed forces and equip them with the capability to take care of the Indian interests beyond the subcontinent, there is a concern that the country which has demonstrated its prowess in space exploration and positioned itself as a software hub of global standing, has failed to acquire self reliance in the vital sector of defence production.
Self-Reliance: Need of the Hour
Indeed, the fact that today India imports bout 70% of its defence equipment makes for a very weak case in the quest to transform the country into a global military power. As observed by Dr.Amer Latif, Visiting Fellow at Wadhwani Chair for US- India policy at Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), “India believes strongly that providing for its own requirements is indicative of being a global power.” Of course, the policy of India’s Ministry of Defence