24
Rationale for India’s military
modernization
Military modernization of any
country is a function of her ‗national
aspirations‘ and the ‗resources
available‘. A country with a global
aspiration may not be able to
modernize her military if it lacks
economic viability. An increase in
defence spending goes with the
increasing economic growth of the
country. Factors like national
aspiration, global power balance and
threat perception, countries are most
likely to expand their military
spending when they enjoy economic
prosperity. Thus it is not surprising to
see India fitting to this scenario.
India‘s ambition for its military
modernization comes from a number
of sources. First, India is earnestly
working on for the recognition of a
global player with a great power
status. Second, India is one of the
major contenders of a permanent seat
in the United Nations Security
Council which, without any doubt,
can brand India as a world power.
Third, India‘s bid for military
modernization is to remain far ahead
of Pakistan in terms of sophisticated
weapons and systems. Fourth,
keeping pace with the astonishing
rise of China, India‘s sole centre of
attention, to maintain effective
balance is a primary concern for
India. Fifth, an enhanced and strong
military will consolidate India‘s
hegemonic role in the whole region
and beyond. Sixth, India finds it
appropriate for military upgrading
from its sense of ‗strategic
encirclement‘ and its geographical
position in the South Asian region.
Seventh, challenges posed by
transnational
terrorism
have
undoubtedly compelled India to
modernize its forces and defence
capabilities to meet the challenges
with utmost seriousness and efficacy.
Eighth,
phenomenal
economic
growth and strength has given India
the courage and ability to undertake
such
efforts
of
military
modernization.
Finally,
public
aspiration of India is in favor of its
forces modernization as average
Page
reserve‘, the stockpiling of sufficient
ammunition to fight a large-scale war
for 60 days. Currently stocks of
several
critical
varieties
of
ammunition for tanks and artillery
guns have fallen to as low as less
than 10 days war reserves. Brigadier
(Ret‘d.) Gurmeet Kanwal, a major
proponent for Indian military
modernization opined that India‘s
military gap compared to China is so
far
quantitative
rather
than
qualitative. He maintains that India
has neglected the urge for defence
modernization. To his view ―By
about 2020-25, China will complete
its military modernization and will
then be in a position to dictate terms
on the resolution of any territorial
dispute if India continues to neglect
defense preparedness.‖