an the defence forces be modernised when... 1. There is no security policy 2. There is therefore no defence policy 3. The defence budget canot be correctly planned in absence of policy. it is ad-hoc. 4. defence hardware is 70% imported, 30% indigenous ( which are outdated products).foreign countries are exploiting Indian vulnerability leading to diluting foreign and economic policies. 5. CDS recommended by GoM (which is national policy)ignored and post poned, because this would enable the CDS to give proffessional recommendations thereby increasing transparency which babus abhorr. 6. The Defence is under babu control and not civil control as envisioned in the constitution. the Commander in chief is the President and not defence secretary. 7. lack of CDS is creating parallel expenditure by Services leading to waste. 8. In decision making on important issues the defence services are not involved it is ad-hoc Babu control. 9. The GoM post Kargil recommended that a representative nominated by defence services be a member of the Pay commission has been ignored why? Parity in rank would involve the Service officers with babu's in decision making. lowering their status would effectively de-barr them from doing so.
Mr Anthony must address these issues in a fast deteriorating environemnt where China is fast developing militarily to be at par with USA it is using pakistan as a proxy against India. We must act now before it is too late. perhaps it is already too late.
Modernisation will remain a pipe dream where even the recommendations of GoM (supposed to be government policy) is ignored. 1. GoM recommended that future Pay commission must have a representative nominated by defence services. why was it not implemented in the 6th pay commission? 2. why the CDS has not been appointed is simple. Honey Its a question of Money. with CDS there would be greater say on proffessional matters by the services thereby increasing transparency in defence deals unacceptable to the babus. Civilian control does not mean Babu-control which has come to pass. the commander in chief is the president and not defence secretary who calls the shots. 3. our defence capability is far behind that of China and we cannot counter moves by Pakistan so where is the national defence. 4. even today 70% of defence hardware is imported and 30% made in the country is obsolescent enabling foreign countries to twist our tail and demand higher prices. it is not only effecting our foreign policy but also our economic policy. 5. what is our national security policy? it has not been spelt out - What is therefore our defence policy? it is not known. then how do we plan and equip our defence forces. How do we plan budget fot it? There is Ad-hocism all the way promoting corruption. surrender of funds is routine.
The security conditions are fast detriorating & Mr Anthony must address these issues before it is too late if not already so
The author writes: "In the light of the lessons it learned from the 1991 Gulf War, the United States military expounded a concept called Effects-Based Operations (EBO) to tackle threats in irregular fourth generation warfare."
EBO is an integral part of the network-centric theory of war wherein effects - kinetic and non-kinetic are transmitted through the lattice-like networks that enmesh the global battlespace. You really should get up on your reading!!!! Just a basic reading of the US doctrinal documents - much of them available in the open source domain - will help. Of course, you remain embedded within a theory of war that was crafted in the Age of Enlightenment in Europe. If there is a principle weakness in our (Indian) Armed Forces, it is ex-officers like this author who thinks that since he has been in a combat role entitles him to pontificate (erroneously as it happens) on matters pertaining to military and strategic affairs.
Re: antony ?
by kristalsoldier on Aug 09, 2009 11:53 AM
Really, you think so? Even when it is demonstrable that the author is conceptually deficient in the terms that he uses as my post above shows?
Antony should take a leaf out of Robert Gates book. He has dumped big-ticket purchases and opted for drones and stuff like that to meet the needs of irregular conflicts. First Antony must get his bureacracy in shape. Officialdom is an impediment everywhere.
Re: Gentle man
by k p on Jan 16, 2011 08:39 AM
Not only in Kerala, Antony is bigger than Kerala! He belongs to the Soldiers' heart from East to West, North to South of India! He has proved time and again that his hands are not stained by corruption! This is the reason why leaders like Vajpae, Advani etc. has high regard for this short man!! He is Gandhiji reborn! Without him, Congress has no appeal to the comman man today for an uncorrupt governance in Delhi!
He is not an YES-Man either! Remember, he was the first to speak in a public rally against the atrocities committed by Indira Gandhi rule during Emergency! When Congress was split, he was dead-against Indira Gandhi! When his own men in the party supported Indira Gandhi in Chickmanglore LS election, Antony reacted to his party by resigning from CM's position! Under compulsion from his party cadres, he silently agreed to join Cong I but stayed away from politics for nearly two years! Indira Gandhi realised this man's qualities made him the Secretary of Congress party and entrusted Assam Problem to be solved! He did a miraculous job! He was very close to Rajiv but never visited him for a personal favor! Antony has no capaciaty to make firy speeches but his actions are hotter than fire! He can change the nation! He deserve more respect cutting across politics and religion and regions!!
