Defence procurements have given the nation a nightmare. Many weapons and defence material purchase deals have been clouded by corruption and scams. India is not the only country in the world that needs to purchase vital defence equipment from foreign suppliers. Since our defence needs are commensurate with our size, geophysical location and the nature of relationship with neighbouring countries, therefore our requirements are distinctly significant in quantity and quality.
An important question before our policy planners and governments has been how to handle the issue of defence requirements, finances and purchasing process in a transparent manner and to the best interests of the country. This is a complex question and honestly speaking, we have not been able to devise a foolproof methodology of ensuring some basic stipulations like the precise weapons that we want, cost compatibility, time schedule for supply of approved material, its maintenance and lastly but more importantly transparency in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). We are aware that the issue of Defence procurements has given rise to many questions and doubts as well as scams, true or false, that have impacted the political environment of the country.
Defence equipment procurement is a sensitive issue. There has been high-speed development and improvement in weapons and defence production equipment in developed countries. They are upgrading everything related to defence equipment and are attracting buyers all over the world. This is the most lucrative business in which both private and public sector in the developed countries are deeply involved. Unfortunately, there is no ban on sale of sophisticated weaponry by the developed countries to the Third World nations except on Weapons of Mass Destruction meaning nuclear and chemical weapons. Even in these cases, secrets of manufacturing the WMD have been clandestinely provided to the developing countries just because doing so is conducive to the policy and interests of the donor country.
A couple of major scandals in defence purchases have rocked our country in the past. We can recall the Jeep purchase and Bofors gun scandals. Lately we were confronted with scandals in purchase of helicopters and trucks for the defence forces. It created political upheaval, bad blood and deep mistrust in our polity. Even top military brass came under scanner. Morale of our senior defence echelons was shattered so much so that accusations and counter accusations among the top military brass and political leadership surfaced to the utter consternation of the nation. The Parliament resounded with angry voices and volatile accusations and the lawmakers demanded utmost transparency in defence procurement policy. The Government obviously found itself in an embarrassing situation. As a consequence, the Government took serious note of this precarious situation. Under pressure from the parliamentarians, and also in realization of the situation that had emerged, the Defence Minister has now issued revised the DPP-2013 which envisages many meaningful improvements in the entire gamut of Defence Procurement Procedure. The new policy takes effect from June 1.
The new policy emphasizes three essential areas. These are (a) balancing the competing requirements of expediting capital procurement, (b) developing a robust indigenous defence sector and (c) conforming to the highest standards of transparency, probity and public accountability. All the three components are of vital importance. The policy document attaches due significance to the role of indigenous industry which has to become the backbone of defence production in days to come. This means that the sector of defence research and development shall have to be strengthened by making investment in a number of its branches. Indigenisation has been the mantra of all defence ministers and governments but the fact remains that we have not been able to keep pace with the fast developing technologies which alone can lead to upgrading of our defence materials.
Defence procurements involve enormous sums of money. Even the items of purchase are also sometimes a controversial subject. Nevertheless the Government does make huge allocations to defence purchases. It has to be remembered that the practice of kick backs in making purchase deals with manufacturing companies is almost become a recognized practice in the world of defence purchases. The brokers have been the bane of a number of defence purchases our country has made in the past. The question is how to control the middlemen because the manner in which they play their role is too complicated to be exposed even when commissions of inquiry are set up. Because the deals have not been transparent and open, these leave much to speculate and build stories upon. The new policy document lays emphasis on transparency, probity and public accountability. To what extent can the attempt of bringing transparency to the defence deals succeed depends on practical implementation of the new policy. We hope that its implementation will be effective and nobody will have reason to raise doubts.
The Defence Minister has shown that he understands the problematic situation created by defence purchases. In good faith and out of sincerity he has brought in policy reforms. It is the duty of the functionaries at the Defence Ministry and at other levels to ensure that these reformative measures are strictly adhered to and the country is spared from getting bogged with defence purchase scandals.
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