This is one of the more preposterous posts I've seen in recent times. Firstly well done for falling for the Indian media's BS. Secondly you do understand that the Indian Mil NEEDS to modernise right? I mean what exactly are you advocating? Not buying new helos? Flying the current ones until when? Until they start falling out of the sky taking countless airmen with them, all whilst compromising on the capabilities of the IN as a whole. If you're so interested in the finical side of things, tell me this- can you justify the IN inducting billion dollar frigates and destroyers and then flying 40+ year old bordering on obsolete helos off their decks? Well can you? I don't think you understand the concept of long term planning as it is these helos are LONG overdue waiting any longer is criminal.
Modernisation isn't compromising the maintenance capability of current assets, keeping assets beyond their designated lives IS- don't you understand that? You seem so against modernisation and have pointed to the Kilo SSKs as an example but you're aware that these latest tragedies wouldn't have happened is the Scorpenes had come into service when they were supposed to- part of the overall modernisation of the IN.
You want to talk about operational effectiveness? What do you think offers more to the IN- 40 year old Sea Kings or state of the art S-70Bs?
I am appalled at your post to be honest...
No I can't, this figure is very surprising to me and I am very cynical about it honestly. The IN has so far only got 1 operational shore-based ALH SQD with plans to set up a second but 159 is far too many given the IN won't be basing these helos on their ships because of well-known issues.
What you're referring to as Indian media's BS, is actually a partial analysis of the report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on defense. So anything that doesn't fit your viewpoint, is not BS.
While you've put words in my mouth and stated I'm advocating against the purchase of these new helos, I'm defo not. What I'm baffled at is the magnitude of this deal, which just isn't our immediate priority. (May be, but there are other areas which require utmost and urgent attention)
The Finance Minister apparently amused me, while he was witnessed as saying, and I quote "The MoD should spend its funds wisely". Isn't it clear the MoD has already exhausted its funds allocated for the Navy, that it sat so long on the Naval Command's multiple requests to release funds for the batteries, manufactured by Exide locally, at around 15crores per unit, which is frankly, a mere amount compared to these gigantic deals floating around.
True, this was a result of failure of the long term planning. But there is one such phrase as damage limitation. Just because the cost benefit analysis reveals investing more funds in these subs is worthless, doesn't mean you can ignore the operational demands just cause you're waiting for some French subs to arrive, or as you say, long term plan to materialise. Right now as I write this, those sailors are still sailing out there, with their lives at enormous risks. You either maintain the sea sailing worthy standards, or ground the fleet, no point in hanging in the middle of the cliff.
The failure of long term planning, though severely the preparedness of our armes forces, is not an India specific issue. Happens all around the globe, agreed a bit too often in India, but is a global phenomenon, primarily due to budgetary constraints and lack of technological breakthroughs at times.
I'm not against modernisation, as you have put it, but doesn't come across as justified to me that on one hand, we are proposing deals as big as $8billion for the so called modernisation, and on other hand, our weaponry systems are crippled with failures, primarily due to lack of funds allocated to their maintenance, with the latter costing only a fraction of the former. It is like leaving our current serving forces hanging in the middle, while we fantasize for some long term plan to materialise.
PS. Id appreciate if you don't launch any personal attacks the next time you respond too.
