There has been a large-scale shift when it comes to modernisation of the Indian armed forces since the Pulwama attacks. With the financial powers having shifted to the Vice-Chiefs of the three wings of the armed forces, there are been circumstantial changes in the temper towards the forces.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is said to hold a meeting with the three service heads of the armed forces to take stock of critical wartime weapons systems and ammunition.
New Delhi had given the armed forces the autonomy to acquire and stockpile ammunition and weapons in case of the eventuality of war. The transfer of financial and emergency authority is a bold move to consolidate the movement towards military prowess that India needs desperately.
The government gave emergency powers to the three armed services to acquire the weapon systems of their choice worth up to Rs 300 crore and obtain them within three months of signing the contract.These have brought a great many radical changes in the spending power of the defence forces.
The Indian Army has gone to acquire two of the most integral weapon systems that might come in handy in operations similar to those post-Balakot. The Army has obtained somewhere around 250 Spike anti-tank guided missiles for the infantry units stationed on the borders. An additional acquisition of the Igla-S man-portable air defence system from Russia worth 250 crores.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently signed a contract worth over 275 crores for buying close to 300 Spike air to ground stand-off weapons from Israel. These could be instrumental in decimating terrorist camps like the one in Balakot. The IAF has also obtained a large number of air-to-air missiles such as the R-77, R-27 and many more important ones from Russia, France and other Eastern European nations.
The IAF has also signed contracts that would help put away obsolete parts and spares for fighter jets
The Indian Navy is also working on several important projects for meeting its shortcomings.
Rajnath Singh has guaranteed his full support to the armed forces and suggested that there will be further strides in all the modernisation efforts. The Ministry of Defence headed by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra has been holding conferences on significant topics of importance since day one of Singh’s taking over. There have a proactive investment on several concerns including the rations issue and have also signed important defence contracts for armed forces’ modernisation journey.
