Day 52 – Q 1. The ongoing Ukrainian crisis has once again proven the significance of developing indigenous capabilities in defense technologies. Elucidate. (10 Marks)

1. The ongoing Ukrainian crisis has once again proven the significance of developing indigenous capabilities in defense technologies. Elucidate. (10 Marks)

यूक्रेन में चल रहे संकट ने एक बार फिर रक्षा प्रौद्योगिकियों में स्वदेशी क्षमताओं के विकास के महत्व को साबित कर दिया है। स्पष्ट करें।

Approach

Candidates need to write about the self-reliant defense technology and highlight the significance of indigenous defense technologies how much it’s important to avert Ukraine like crisis. 

Introduction 

A strong and well-equipped military provides a country the immunity to resist attack and thwart unprovoked aggression from external sources. It works as a defence mechanism and reflects the country’s military capability and capacity to defend itself against the hostile countries for example if Ukraine had defence capability it could deter from Russia. 

Body 

Significance of developing indigenous defense technology:

• To maintain its regional autonomy: India needs to assert its presence and sovereignty over the border regions and for that, it needs to have modernised defence products and strategic autonomy over such defence products. This strategic autonomy can be achieved by having a self-reliant defence industry which would ultimately strengthen the Indian economy as well. 
• To create a robust security framework: India requires an overhaul of its defence products to meet the current requisites of modern warfare. India needs to strengthen its surveillance system which requires inducting of modernised radars and drones so that suspicious activities and trespassing at the border areas could be detected at the earliest. 
• Promoting investments in R&D and production in the defence sector: Will reduce dependency on imports which will lead to a reduction in the foreign exchange expenditure and enhance the level of operational preparedness. 
• Restructuring of defense with Indian based requirements: India with vast landscape with terrain like ladakh siachen and coastal areas. 
• Strategic Capability: self sufficient and self reliant defence industry will place India among the top global powers.
• Nationalism and Patriotism can increase with indegenious production of defence equipment, that in turn will not only boost the trust and confidence of the Indian forces but will also strengthen a sense of integrity and sovereignty in them.
• Affect sovereignty: Depending on other countries for arms would affect the sovereignty of India with respect to military policies and decisions.

Conclusion

Indigenisation in defence is critical to national security also. It keeps intact the technological expertise and encourages spin-off technologies and innovation that often stem from it. Strategic Capability increases with self sufficient and self reliant defence industry also it will place India among the top global powers.