Dhruv Chopper Likely to Be Deployed On-board INS Vikramaditya to detect hostile submarines

[SrNair]

This is the crux of the argument, leaving all specifics aside.

Where we disagree is whats happens if/when the programs fail to meet the requirements-
You say we import from abroad and discipline DRDO in all cases
I say we stick with the program and discipline DRDO unless its a critical project or
the gap in ability/delay in procurement is huge ?

Is that right ?

Developing a world class weapons is not an easy subject.e got our independence in 1947 .And till 2000 we remain as poverty stricken country then after we got a name of emerging economy.
Foreign countries means US ,Russia and other western countries.They spend a lot of them for the MIC.Because they remain as independent when they fought WW2.At that time these countries have only one aim how to counter Hitler's Germany .They field their equipments with minimum tests because they dont have any other choice and times was also less.
So 8 years wartime acts as an steroid injection to US and Russia MICs.In US case they come out from economic recession due to this war.
So when they start their MIC and aerospace journey they already have proven weapons and experience in their hand .all they need was it upgradation.
Our first indigenous fighter Marut was designed by German aeronautical engineer names Kurt Tank.But we failed to upgrade it and that was our fisrt mistake.And it cause a lot of problem to us.
China is a different case .We cant implement that in India.
Now we start to think about our own MIC only after 2000.So it will take time.
DRDO is underfunded and less man powered and too occupied by missile project .
For making an industry similar to that so called foreign we need money.Money means trillion of dollars.
Our GoI cant dont that.
That is why they proposing FDI.
But ultimately it will take time may be two decades but our forces cant suffer that much delay.

 

[sancho]

or the gap in ability/delay in procurement is huge ?

This is the crucial part and before that happens, we have to have alternatives at least evaluated. Look at the IJT program as the perfect example. It is far behind schedule and is effecting the training capability of IAF badly. So we can't simply stick to the program only because it is an indigenous development, since the defence of the country ALWAYS must have prioirty!
I never said that we have to procure foreign stuff after the first delay, but when the delay is too big we need to have alternatives, just as we shouldn't even start developments like AMCA, AWACS India, or HTT, IMRH, AJT, that either promise delivery only by a time when there is no demand anymore, or when more urgent needs are available today.
So indigenisation is welcomed, when it's serves the defence needs, in a reasonable timeframe, but it can't have any priorities only because of pride reasons, but sadly the latter is what we see currently from our industry today.