Latest development during last two months highlighted army related issues, which made me think about the capabilities of Indian Armed Forces. Army Chief had been in news for over a six months now, and it is not stopping as of now. You have a new news or revelation from Army Chief quite frequently . Few burning questions in my mind?
1. Does it indicate that there is definitely something within the armed forces and MOD?
2. Is it just a frustration of an almost honest institution against bureaucrats?
3. Are reports published by various newspapers/channels actually depicting the true picture?
4. Is it a 'diversion of focus' strategy from the more important issues?
5. Are we safe enough?
6. Was this(bribe offer to army chief) happening before as well?
7. Did Czech firm Tatra sell substandard products — and then try to make payoffs to ensure it could keep doing so?
What comes to your mind when you first went through below headlines in newspapers in recent past two months or so.
~ Defence minister A K Antony almost said so in the Rajya Sabha: "Publishing the contents of secret communications within the government cannot serve our national security." ~
~ Tatra Sipox UK was, according to documents with CNN-IBN, a London-based trading company and not the original manufacturer. Procuring from Tatra Spiox broke one of the cardinal rules of defence procurement – that all procurement should be sourced directly from the manufacturer, not a third party. Curiously, Tatra Sipox’s balance sheets of those years show it had a working capital of just 30,000 pounds. And the firm was registered as providing “spiritual, religious and social services.” ~
~ The Army Chief, General V.K. Singh, has alleged that an equipment lobbyist offered him a bribe of Rs.14 Crore, which he reported to Union Defense Minister A.K. Antony. ~
~ Many blame the Army chief for the leak, suggesting that this is his latest attempt to embarrass the Defence Ministry. ~
~ Former Army chief Shankar Roy Chowdhury said that the government has been alerted repeatedly to the exigent need to upgrade the Army's resources. "This is not a new thing...it is occupying media space because of the leaks," ~
~ The former Army Chief, Shankar Roy Chowdhury, said here on Monday that attention should not be restricted to the Army alone. “Other quarters,” including the Ministry of Defense, should also be examined. In early 2010, the Army reported it was short of 3,90,000 ballistic helmets, 30,000 third-generation night vision devices, 1,80,000 lightweight bullet-proof jackets, 15,000 general purpose machine guns and 1,100 anti-materiel rifles. ~
1. Does it indicate that there is definitely something within the armed forces and MOD?
2. Is it just a frustration of an almost honest institution against bureaucrats?
3. Are reports published by various newspapers/channels actually depicting the true picture?
4. Is it a 'diversion of focus' strategy from the more important issues?
5. Are we safe enough?
6. Was this(bribe offer to army chief) happening before as well?
7. Did Czech firm Tatra sell substandard products — and then try to make payoffs to ensure it could keep doing so?
What comes to your mind when you first went through below headlines in newspapers in recent past two months or so.
- Govt angry, but Army chief's dismissal over letter leak episode unlikely
- Army chief Gen VK Singh writes to PM, warns of security risk to India
- How trucks drove the Army bribe row
- Inside India's defence acquisition mess
- I was offered a bribe of Rs. 14 crore, says Army Chief
- Army Chief General VK Singh brings out TMC MP's letter alleging scam
- Details of who allegedly offered Rs 14-crore bribe to Army chief
- Yes, was under pressure to resign after Supreme Court verdict, says Army Chief
- Political outrage over Army chief General VK Singh's leaked letter, parties demand action
~ Defence minister A K Antony almost said so in the Rajya Sabha: "Publishing the contents of secret communications within the government cannot serve our national security." ~
~ Tatra Sipox UK was, according to documents with CNN-IBN, a London-based trading company and not the original manufacturer. Procuring from Tatra Spiox broke one of the cardinal rules of defence procurement – that all procurement should be sourced directly from the manufacturer, not a third party. Curiously, Tatra Sipox’s balance sheets of those years show it had a working capital of just 30,000 pounds. And the firm was registered as providing “spiritual, religious and social services.” ~
~ The Army Chief, General V.K. Singh, has alleged that an equipment lobbyist offered him a bribe of Rs.14 Crore, which he reported to Union Defense Minister A.K. Antony. ~
~ Many blame the Army chief for the leak, suggesting that this is his latest attempt to embarrass the Defence Ministry. ~
~ Former Army chief Shankar Roy Chowdhury said that the government has been alerted repeatedly to the exigent need to upgrade the Army's resources. "This is not a new thing...it is occupying media space because of the leaks," ~
~ The former Army Chief, Shankar Roy Chowdhury, said here on Monday that attention should not be restricted to the Army alone. “Other quarters,” including the Ministry of Defense, should also be examined. In early 2010, the Army reported it was short of 3,90,000 ballistic helmets, 30,000 third-generation night vision devices, 1,80,000 lightweight bullet-proof jackets, 15,000 general purpose machine guns and 1,100 anti-materiel rifles. ~
Few more questions here?
1. Is MOD actually/intentionally involved in paralyzing Indian Army?
2. Why most of the retired Big guns of Army revealing the procurement procedure of MOD now?
2. Why most of the retired Big guns of Army revealing the procurement procedure of MOD now?
3. Indian Army, with approximately 1 Million strength had acquired just $420 Million of equipment since 2007, compared with $6.16 Billion by the navy, and $17.46 Billion by the airforce. Cost Guard had made the purchase worth $616 Million. What could be the possible reasons and consequences of such failure?
Important leaks from Army Chief's letter to PM:
1. Army tanks in the country have run out of ammunition.
2. The need to bridge the shortcomings and bring the army to fighting level.
3. Army Chief has called 97% of the air defence obsolete in the letter.
4. Elite special forces are woefully short of weapons.
And here's the key question which may be a remote possibility, and it can also be termed as the most unconventional question/thought expressed in the entire debate till now.
Is it a strategy of Govt Of India, to showcase a poor picture intentionally to disable it's enemies in estimating of Indian Military power?
You must remember that wrong estimations always trigger wrong decisions.........
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/political-outrage-over-army-chief-general-vk-singhs-leaked-letter-parties-demand-action-191147&cp
Well thought of post. A lot of burning issues raised and even met. As for the question, yes it definitely could be so... but I have one question, without any offence to the institution I myself belong to, and this is assuming what you pointed out is right, is the army actually that idiotic? I mean, this is not 1700s where the only means of news and to get to know about other nations was to set sail, land there, and then know. If it is indeed this strategy they are using, then
ReplyDelete1: if you can think of this, can the other nations not. They are not fools to fall for it.
2: we pride in RAW and the information it gets us... you think other nations do not have such sources?
3: who are we kidding that they will actually affect their strategies and plans, based on media news, which all know to be hyped.
and the one last question I have for everyone,
IF IT IS OR IS NOT AN INTELLIGENCE PLAN, LEAVE IT TO THEM... no offences...BUT WHO THE HELL DO WE THINK WE ARE, KNOWING NOTHING OF ANY OF IT, EXCEPT AS HEARD FROM THE MEDIA, TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON THE CHIEF OR THE MINISTER, OR ANYONE. STOP PLAYING BLAME GAME PEOPLE, THE RESULT IS AS A WHOLE, IS WHO DID IT SO IMPORTANT? OR IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO SEE IF DANGER DOES INDEED EXIST AND HOW TO FIGHT IT?
this is not to you or any person in particular, but I just thought this was the right place to reach people who have the audacity (and yes, i did just say that) to point fingers when they have no clue.
I belong to this institution of the Indian army... if I or people around me, the officers, their families etc. can be none to judge, why do you judge?
@Janhvi: Thanks for making the post richer by adding your views....
DeleteYou know Hemant, I don't comment on the Army topics. I think they live in a different world than civilians. As you asked whether the truth is reported, I think, in fact know that truth is never reported. And believe me the statistics you are using, may be courtesy the best of newspapers are not true. Army and MOD operates on different level...
ReplyDelete@Saru di: I agree to what you said...they live in a different world altogether and that's the reason we respect them....however, it just made me concern as a citizen of India..
DeleteNice to have your thoughts here..