At 87, I have seen India fight wars, survive crises and rise from the slavery of colonial rule to become a respected power in the world. Having served my country in uniform, led men in battle, and devoted my retirement to studying and writing about national security, I have every reason to take pride in how far we have come—especially in the last decade, despite internal political squabbles ad infinitum.
Let me voice my concerns about the nation’s traversing course today without holding punches back. And, it is not to dampen the nation’s Independence Day celebrations, but the future course for the nation to traverse to emerge as a superpower is far from done.
None should doubt the Modi government displaying the much-needed vision and political will in our defense and strategic sectors. The “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” push has opened doors for the private sector, eased restrictions, and created a climate for innovation. Defense exports have broken records. Our armed forces are better equipped and better respected than ever before.
Nonetheless, as a national security analyst, let me highlight shortcomings that still threaten our readiness to face and counter challenges and seize opportunities in all fields – particularly technology, economic, and defense fields.
Lethargy and complacency in our defence R&D institutions—the DRDO, DRDL, HAL, BDL, and others still persist, albeit the pace is much better pace than before. Ipso facto, these organisations were set up with a clear mandate: to research and develop world-class weapon systems.
In retrospect, they should have focused solely on the R&D role, leaving large-scale manufacturing to capable private players that have emerged. They have become slow-moving giants, caught in years of testing and bureaucratic delay, 10-20-year delay in innovation keeping pace with other nations.
Having been exposed to their functioning for years, written books on national security, and sent countless suggestions to the government, my conclusion remains that many of them lack the urgency demanded by the current geopolitical reality.
We are told of DRDO’s breakthroughs—missile systems like Agni with 10,000 km range, exotic projects like “Kaali” that could potentially match or even surpass US and Chinese capabilities. Yet, the timelines stretch endlessly. Testing drags on. Targets slip year after year.
Let me be blunt at the current pace, some of these headline projects will not be operational even by 2030-2035. And by then, their technologies will be outdated.
Surely, such a state should be unacceptable. India does not have the luxury of endless trial runs. In a volatile neighbourhood with one rogue neighbour in Pakistan and another expansionist neighbour in China, we may face a major conflict sooner than many imagine.
Prime Minister Modi is known for his ability to galvanise people. He must now do for our defence R&D what he did for sanitation, digital payments, and infrastructure—set ambitious, non-negotiable deadlines and hold leaders personally accountable and responsible.
I urge him to summon the heads of DRDO, DRDL, HAL, and BDL, give them a clear directive: deliver on time or make way for those who can do so by specific timelines. Restrict their role to pure research and prototype development, involving IITians. Integrate private companies with established manufacturing capabilities, MSMEs, and proven startups from the initial stages only with R&D PSUs.
Once a system is proven, hand over manufacturing to giants like Adani, Ambani, L&T, Tata, or startup companies that can work to commercial timelines, not government lethargy.
Yet strength means nothing if it remains stuck in laboratory testing. Every ready weapon system must be put on a fast track to production—whether in missiles, drones, electronic warfare systems, or the semiconductor and chip technologies I have long advocated for. I have sent detailed proposals to the government over the years; if they are sound, I urge the PM’s office to dust them off and put them into action.
Let me make one suggestion. On retirement, appoint Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh — former test fighter pilot at HAL— to head HAL. A combat flier with real operational insight at the helm would be a game-changer.
I write this not as an armchair critic, but as a man who has worn the uniform, commanded troops, and dedicated my post-service life to the study of India’s national security. My words are not meant to demoralise our scientists—they are some of the finest minds not only in the country, but also in the world—but to remind them of the stakes. Our enemies will not wait for our production schedules to catch up.
Prime Minister Modi has shown vision and resolve before. Now is the time to show it again—inside our defence laboratories and public sector units. Crack the whip where needed, reward efficiency where it exists, and make it clear that in matters of national defence, missed deadlines are not just administrative failures—they are threats to national security.
I may be 87, but my heart still beats like that of a soldier on the front line. And from that vantage, I can tell you this: if we act now, decisively and urgently, India will not just be a “Vishwa Guru” in name, but a power no adversary will dare to challenge. – Jai Hind.
