Prime Minister Narendra Modi Advocates for Greater Accountability in Indian Defence Planning
On the brink of India’s 75th Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi implored the country’s armed forces, military-civilian bureaucracy, and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to amplify their efficiency, eliminate cost overruns, meet project timelines, and make the national initiative of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) successful in defence manufacturing. This news comes from the source of Reader Wall.
The High-level Review Meeting
According to Reader Wall, Prime Minister Modi called upon a high-level meeting on January 13th to stress the necessity for complete accountability in Indian defence planning. Key attendees included high-ranking bureaucrats, armed forces executives, and DRDO’s principal secretary and chairman.
Although specific details from the meeting remain confidential, it has been disclosed that the Prime Minister urged the attending officials to focus not just on the present state of defence manufacturing, but also the long-term vision. He emphasized the need for an audit of current military resources before any further procurement. Accountability for delays and overspending in defence projects was also highlighted, given the funds could potentially be redirected towards other welfare schemes such as the PM Awas Yojana.
Scope for Improvement in Defence Research and Manufacturing
Concerns regarding defence research and manufacturing in India were reignited just a fortnight after an incisive review report was submitted to the Defence Minister. This report, authored by Prof K VijayRaghavan, the former principal scientific advisor to the government, critically evaluated the DRDO’s operations.
The report identified the DRDO as undertaking projects that were beyond the capacity of their projected timelines, leading to significant cost overruns and even technological obsolescence. Other findings revealed a lack of member diversity within the organization and a technological “catch up” mode rather than a “breakthrough” one.
New Focus for Indian Defence
The insights come at a critical time as India is gearing towards increasing domestic procurement of defence equipment and exploring export markets. The report also highlighted the need for synergy between the DRDO and end users of the equipment, suggesting a more balanced approach to platform development.
The report put forward 11 key recommendations for improving Defence Research and Development, the takeway message being the need for a thorough revamp of the DRDO, enhanced accountability within the armed forces, and the need for a strategic vision to make “Atmanirbhar Bharat” a success.
As news from Reader Wall suggests, the future of Indian defence planning is set to undergo significant changes following the report’s findings and the directives issued by the Prime Minister. The focus now lies in transforming these insights into actionable steps, thereby bringing the nation closer to its vision of a self-reliant India.
