We no longer hear many complaints on lack of budget support from the Services. Instead, we hear criticism about the ‘processing ability’ to project and progress through the labyrinth of defence acquisition machinery that has been fortified against every conceivable malpractice. The ball is now firmly in the court of the military to speedily move through the maze.

‘Modernisation of Defence’ is a mantra that reverberates constantly across the spectrum that voice concern on India’s national security. The need is acknowledged at all levels of military institutions and the government. Government watchdogs such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Standing Committee of Parliament for Defence have been critical on maximising budgetary support for modernisation and in the past have passed strictures over surrendering unspent annual budget allocated for modernisation. This has initiated improvement over policies and practices on defence expenditure and the possibility to carry forward unspent allocation to the subsequent year. At the Prime Minister’s level, the country has been assured of meeting defence modernisation needs. We no longer hear many complaints on lack of budget support from the Services. Instead, we hear criticism about ‘processing ability’ to project and progress through the labyrinth of defence acquisition machinery that has been fortified against every conceivable malpractice. The ball is now firmly on the court of the military to speedily move through the maze.

The Air Force seems to have succeeded well in working at the labyrinth. Many new inductions have gone through well and they are confident of pushing the rest that they may have envisioned. The next Chief of Air Staff is likely to be one who had successfully worked at this machinery and therefore the service is poised even more confidently. Major programmes such as C-17, multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA), additional airborne warning and control system (AWACS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Hawk Trainers and Su-30MKI, Air Defence upgradation, FGA, aircraft upgrades, etc seem to be moving well in the labyrinth. The LCA programme is likely to get a followon order. Other major indigenous programmes such as intermediate jet trainer (IJT) and light combat helicopter (LCH) are due for a boost. Tanker programme could be refreshed with the Navy also showing interest in the capability. The total programme is indeed enormous, next only to Chinese. It would be a challenging exercise to meet the payment schedule for new acquisitions and to meet the yearly schedule of payments towards ongoing deliveries. Besides operational systems, resources would be needed to acquire operational support facilities and systems such as airfield support, radars, training systems, logistics management system, communications, armament, etc. It is obvious that allocation and acquisition are highly planned activities and are meticulously monitored.

Military aviation as a whole has other important players as well. The Navy has an ambitious programme to induct maritime aircraft, next generation of combat aircraft, trainers, special role helicopters, UAVs and related support and training systems in addition to fleet modernisation that include surface ships and submarines. The Indian Army too is focused on expanding and modernising its aviation assets and has done their homework quite meticulously. The Coast Guard and Border Security Force have compulsions to improve their aviation and intelligence gathering assets to counter a repeat of 26/11 type of attack and to combat insurgency more effectively.