Ashok Kumar

Ashok Kumar

Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar, VSM (Retd) is a Kargil War veteran, has operational experience both on Pakistan as well as Chinese borders including LOC and LAC. He commanded a formation in the Arunachal Pradesh where 1962 war battles were fought as well as activated during 1987. He is a defence and strategic analyst, Senior Fellow of CLAWS and author of two books- China Betrays Again and Indian Churnings on the Global Stage. He is currently DG of CENJOWS.
  • Joined: 26/06/2022
  • Articles: 25
  • Comments: 5

MRO SUPPORT FOR THE DEFENCE FORCES

The article highlights the critical need for effective MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) support for India's defense forces, especially with active threats on its borders. It stresses the importance of addressing spare part shortages, capacity constraints, and industry reluctance, while integrating MRO support into joint operations. Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts emphasize the importance of robust MRO for battlefield success. India must create capacity to maintain legacy, current, and future equipment, leveraging public-private partnerships and veterans' expertise, to ensure readiness for both peacetime and wartime scenarios.

INDIA’S MILITARY CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT AND DEFENCE PROCUREMENTS

The Indian Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by the Raksha Mantri, approved capital acquisitions worth nearly Rs One Lakh Crores, focusing on indigenisation and modernisation of the Armed Forces. This includes sophisticated platforms and emphasizes support for indigenous defence startups and MSMEs through simplified acquisition procedures. The initiative reflects a strategic shift towards making India a defence exporter and reducing its reliance on imports, demonstrated by significant deals like the BrahMos missile export. The adjustments in procurement policies, including emergency powers and the Fast-Track Procedure, aim to address immediate needs while fostering long-term self-reliance and capability enhancement in the defence sector.

REVAMPING OF INDIAN ARTILLERY

The article explores India's Corps Day celebration by the Gunners on September 28, commemorating the founding of the first artillery unit in 1827, suggesting a potential shift to a more relevant date post-independence. It traces the historical impact of artillery, notably during the Battle of Panipat in 1526. Post-independence, the gunners' crucial role in conflicts, especially the Kargil War, is highlighted, emphasizing artillery's pivotal role in India's victory. The evolving Chinese threat prompts a focus on enhancing artillery capabilities in challenging terrains, with an emphasis on mobility, self-propelled platforms, air defense, and anti-drone measures. The article advocates for advanced technology adoption, border infrastructure development, and the use of self-propelled and light guns for future warfare.

INDIGENISATION URGENCY AS NEVER BEFORE

The geopolitical landscape is changing rapidly due to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Hamas-Israel conflict. India's defense equipment supply is being adversely affected by these conflicts. The Russia-Ukraine war impacts India's dependence on Russian equipment, while the Hamas-Israel conflict affects supplies from the USA, France, and Israel. India has started focusing on indigenization but is faced with challenges due to ongoing conflicts and border tensions with China. The author suggests taking out-of-the-box approaches to address national security challenges, including an honest audit of domestic defense equipment procurement and a more efficient and manufacturer-friendly procurement process.

The situation emphasizes the need for greater support and handholding for domestic defense industries, both large and small, to boost indigenous production.

INDIA’S RENEWED PUSH FOR INDIGENISATION IN THE DEFENCE SECTOR: OPPORTUNITIES AND PITFALLS

The article highlights India's need for self-reliance in defense due to its adversarial neighbors, the importance of indigenization in the defense sector, and the challenges posed by changing geopolitics, particularly Russia's growing ties with China. India has taken measures to promote indigenization, including import bans, and is focusing on developing modern defense equipment through R&D, technology transfer, and joint ventures. The article emphasizes the need for diplomatic efforts to provide a decade of stability before major defense indigenization, considering the evolving global conflicts.

LIFE CYCLE COST (LCC): A NEW APPROACH FOR EQUIPPING DEFENCE FORCES

- The article explains the concept of Life Cycle Cost (LCC), which is the total cost of owning and operating a piece of equipment over its life span.
- The article argues that LCC should be considered in defense procurement, as it can provide a more accurate and realistic comparison of different equipment options than the current L1 model, which only considers the initial procurement cost.
- The article identifies the key components of LCC, such as basic procurement cost, recurring cost, operational cost, and salvage value, and suggests how they can be calculated and included in the tender documents.
- The article acknowledges the challenges in applying LCC to different types of equipment and operating conditions, and calls for data collection and analysis to support LCC estimation.
- The article recommends a gradual implementation of LCC in defense procurement, starting with capital-intensive equipment, and emphasizes the need for proactive actions to adopt LCC for national security.