The letter to the prime minister dated March 12 – and widely reported by the Indian media – lists shortcomings of the armed forces in embarrassing detail in a serious blow to the government and the Asian giant’s military prestige.
Its publication also ups the stakes in a public battle between army chief General VK Singh and the government which began with a dispute over Singh’s retirement earlier this year.
“The state of the major (fighting) arms i.e. mechanised forces, artillery, air defence, infantry and special forces, as well as the engineers and signals, is indeed alarming,” Singh wrote in the letter, DNA newspaper reported.
The army’s entire tank fleet is “devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks,” while the air defence system is “97% obsolete,” he wrote. The infantry is crippled with “deficiencies,” while the elite forces are “woefully short” of “essential weapons.”
Speaking amid an uproar in parliament over the leaked letter, Defence Minister AK Antony confirmed the existence of the letter and said it should not have been made public. Politicians from all parties reacted angrily and some called for the army chief’s resignation if he was found to be behind the leak.
In the letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, General Singh reportedly blamed the slow procurement process and lack of urgency among bureaucrats for the “hollowness” of the 1.13-million-strong military.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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Providing much need modernization to India military may be just what is needed for the US/NATO to reach an agreement of establishing an air bridge to their forces in Afh.
One has to admit it fits nicely as such an agreement would meet the immediate needs of both nations.
@basha: Dude, if you're pretending to be Indian, at least do a better job of it. Broken English needs to be more authentic - work on it!
Big surprise, not!
Somewhat related: China provides a good model on arms – their military spending overseas is relatively low because they make most of their hardware at home. It's time to privatize the military hardware sector in India. That way, we not only get good quality and good research but also keep the money at home to flow through our own economy instead of servicing the economies of foreign countries. It'll be a long road but it's time to take the first step.
If Congress party chief knows Indian military secret means their counter part ISI definitely will know the details too. Congress & ISI have deep understanding.
This military official secrete is (Indian weakness& requirement) publishing is it right OR he is warning our enemy we are too weak unable to fight, the officer making mistake here & blaming Indian government , in all budget maximum amount allotted to military department where this amount took how, please check Indian CID deportment where the amount used how utilized now no boarder war any body corrupted , the officer pledge list requirement Indian govt then estimated amount with proper channel every year / quarter /monthly /weekly . also Indian PM request the requirement in periodically to full fill
@gp65: I couldn’t have said any better. Indians respects its Army but not idolize them nor follow them blindly.
"Politicians from all parties reacted angrily and some called for the army chief’s resignation if he was found to be behind the leak."
Can people in Pakistan imagine that? No-ne dared to ask for Kayani's resignation either after Abbotabad incident or Salala where there was no response from Pak forces to 2 hours of continued bombing on their post.
Also India has to actually procure the arms in its arsenal. It does not rent its soldiers and its bases and airspace to get free arms. Somehow Pakistanis feel that this news should make Indians ashamed. I feel no shame whatsoever and in fact am proud of my nation that displays true sovereignty, civilian supremacy and willingness to acknowledge and fix problems.