Was it necessary to place the Comptroller General’s report out in the session and make it public? This will not only encourage China but also discourage our soldiers. The government had assured that it would balance the stock within 2 years, but did not act.   Government has assured that it would provide all necessary arms to the armed forces within one year.   Strengthening the army is a long term process and slackness is dangerous.  

Just when the global community is discussing the possibility of India and China going to war, the Comptroller General’s report stating that India has stock of weapons only for 10 days of war is alarming.  Despite both Indian Army and Defense Department repeating several times that they are war ready, the pathetic state of affairs with regard to arms throws light on the insecurity that could be bothering our armed forces.

The main question is, just when China is intentionally taking one step ahead at a time to scare India, was it necessary to place the Comptroller General’s report out in the session and make it public?  Will it not instigate China’s war readiness further? Of course the rule says Comptroller General’s report had to be placed before the Parliament session. But certain confidential matters are exempted even from RTI to budget at every stage. Then what was the need to disclose the status of weapons openly at global level? This will not only encourage China but also discourage our soldiers.

China army is the 3rd strongest in the world. India has the 5th place.  However, the gap between the 3rd and the 5th places is very significant.  Annually, China spends three times the budget of India for arms.  Considering the corruption in Indian army, the efficiency in the Communist China, undoubtedly China has much higher rate of increase in strength of armed forces than India.

This is not the case of recent times but for decades India has only friction of milder sort with China but never considered it as a competition to improve its armed strength.  During UPA government 4 years ago CAG report had cautioned of shortage of arms stock. The government had assured that it would balance the stock within 2 years.  

Now, the Central Government has assured that it would provide all necessary arms to the armed forces within one year, say sources. When it comes to defense of the country, the government cannot make a spur of the moment statement but consider it as a grave situation and respond in all seriousness.

Purchasing arms for the army is expensive.  All weapons used in war are not produced by all countries.  Especially India imports major arms. The commission to middlemen, Defense Department higher officials and politicians taking their cuts is common.

To produce and purchase arms takes time.  Weapons cannot be purchased at will.  Strengthening the army is a long term process.  The government is saying Make in India even for army. However, there are no signs of it being implemented. In the case of defense such slackness is definitely unwanted.