Belated 400 KMs Range R 37 M Missile Procurement : Why India Is Always Preparing For The Last war While Pakistan , China and Even Iran Prepare To Win The Next War : Financial Justification , CVC/CBI Fear and Control Freak Babus Are Destroying Our Defence
Rajiv Upadhyay 
Newspapers and Media are gloating over the likelihood of India buying 400 kms range R 37 M missiles for our Sukhoi fleet . It is a specific missile to destroy AWACS and Refuelling tanker aircrafts which can hopefully cripple Pakistani defences . Pakistan had seven AWACS compared to three of India during Sindoor . This procurement decision is welcome undoubtedly but it is too late as possibly they will come and be fitted by 2029-30. It possibly also needs upgradation of radars in our Sukhoi fleet .
It may be argued that this is the best scenario as we were waiting for them to be proved in Russia before placing our large order . Right ? Not at all.
Modern India is notorious for preparing for the weapons needed to win the last war . But our enemies like China & Pakistan or even Iran prepare to win the next war .
Let is examine the basis of this charge against our defence procurement methodology .
In Balakot , Pakistan cut off our communication with Abhinandan’s plane and it wandered into Pakistan . A secure computer link communication technology was available but was deemed as too expensive . The lady officer in finance ministry reportedly ordered that DRDO can develop it in India because we are good in IT ! Immediately after the war we purchased belatedly the same technology at the reported cost about 600 crore rupees . But it was too late . Abhinandan was already a prisoner of war by then and even released. Also our Sukhois were rendered useless by their 80 km range R 77 missiles while Pakistan had American 120 km range AIM 120 AMRAAM Missiles . So old Mirage with SCALP missiles lead the attack which was an unqualified success . But Sukhois provided cover to Mirages and were not leading the attack.
In Operation Sindoor , we were ready with our computer link but Pakistan had moved ahead . Our Rafales were not ready for 200 km PL 15 missiles supplied by China and took the initial hits . Pakistan had acquired even more advanced technology . Chinese HQ 9 detected the plane , passed on the information to AWACS which guided the missile with computer link without switching on its radar till it came with in 75 kms of Rafales . Time was too short and just gave pilot time to eject . We were hoping that PL 15 had 150 km range but were taken by this un pleasant surprise .
Pakistan has better and far more AWACS . So we are buying R37 M . Good but by next war Pakistan and China would have moved ahead .
A question may be asked that what is the alternative ? How can we buy unproven technology !
It was not always like this . Because BJP came to power on anti corruption slogan it has been overwhelmed by not taking a wrong , non transparent decision on any purchase much more the defence purchases . This has become a mill stone around our neck . Add to this the control freakness of our pompous, good for nothing Babus who like to keep armed forces , scientists , Engineers and Industrialists under their thumb . Mortally scared of CVC / CBI / ED / Vigilance, no one takes any risk but no risk no gain ! In Defence this ‘oversafe’ is a recipe of disaster . Abdali crossed Yamuna in full spate while we moved around its bank hoping he would not dare !
It was not always like this .
Our best programme today is missile design and production . We owe it to Srimati Indira Gandhi’s vision . It is very graphically described in Sh Abdul Kalam’s book ‘ Wings of Fire ‘ . Defence minister chose Dr Kalam as team leader . He had no idea about cost and possibly blurted cost estimate as Rs 100 crore , Sri Venkat Raman raised to 150 crores but Srimati Gandhi sanctioned non lapsable 200 crore in a very visionary move ( figures out of memory now ) .
Similarly Shri Nar Simha Rao purchased Sukhois when they were being designed in Russia with adequate checks . So we had latest technology at that time .
Even Pandit Nehru exempted Atomic Energy Commission from pre audit . But best was Sardar Patel , who allowed North Frontier Railway to be constructed at break neck speed . But the construction accounts were not audited till date . Then CRB made this condition clear for the time frame prescribed by Patel and rails were transported across Brahmputra. with out waiting for the bridge , in full spate by adopting all types of legal / illegal methods of payment to boatmen. Line was ready by the time bridge was made .
China , Pakistan , Iran all work like this . Even President Trump placed a huge order on Pfizer to develop a vaccine for CORONA when no one knew how ?
We in India have to take Defence out of Babus strangle hold completely as they are not meant for this type of work . Simultaneously we have to develop a risk appetite for initial failures in research , wastage of money in the beginning and even minor corruptions like luxury office equipment or free air travel abroad . CBI . CVC / ED / Vigilance have to be kept out except in proven cases of dis proportionate assets acquired out of research funds after obtaining Chief’s permission . Single source purchase of best equipment has to be a rule not an exception .
Most important is not to insist on financial justification like China or Pakistan have already got it but justification to move ahead of them !
In recent years , we have done a great work in indigenisation , development of defence related infrastructure and even increasing production capacity by roping in private sector . But Defence Procurement is a great weakness even now . India was lucky in Operation Sindoor due to availability S400 , Brahmos, Akash missiles and Israeli drones . But Pakistan and China have learnt their lessons . We have to institutionalise our lead in Defence technology .
Beginning has to be made in Srimati Indira Gandhi or Sardar Patel style of creating exceptions and set up a bold and fully trusted body for research and acquisition of latest technology and doubling the defence procurement budget.
