Lt Gen Jastej Singh Matharu (Retd), Maj Gen Rambir Singh Mann (Retd)
By Lt Gen Jastej Singh Matharu (Retd)
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the NDTV Defence Summit, an event marked by insightful discussions and thought-provoking perspectives. The talks delivered by the speakers were excellent, and for me, the seminar was a truly fruitful exercise. Listening to the diverse views, several thoughts struck me, which I would like to share here.
Products Over Processes
A tenet which guided me during my service life is the need to always remember that it is the product which ultimately matters, not the process. In times of conflict, the armed forces must move immediately with the weapon systems and digital tools at their disposal. These “products”—whether physical or digital—cannot be created overnight. They are the result of years, often decades, of research, development, and perseverance.
A classic example is the indigenous Akash missile systems. They represent decades of hard work by our scientists and engineers and, most importantly, they were effectively deployed in conflict. Their success underlines why initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India are critical to our defence preparedness.
The Balance Between Checks and Balances and Delivery
As a democracy, we are rightly conscious of accountability and the need to safeguard public money. Checks and balances are essential. However, at times the processes themselves take center stage, overshadowing the end goal—the timely delivery of products. This can become a trap.
For national defence, the availability of effective systems must always remain the top priority. Processes are important, but they must serve the larger purpose, not become ends in themselves. Striking this fine balance is essential.
The Promise of Agentic AI
We are entering the era of artificial intelligence, and specifically, agentic AI offers a promising way to address process inefficiencies. Procurement rules and procedures, which are by their nature thorough and time-consuming, can be embedded into AI systems. These systems can automate up to 90% of the vetting, compliance checks, and cross-referencing—leaving only the final 10% for human sign-off.
This could dramatically reduce procurement timelines. Senior industry leaders at the summit pointed out that if requirements could be translated into orders within a year to 18 months, it would significantly strengthen the industry’s ability to deliver. AI has the potential to make this possible.
Funding Innovation and Supporting MSMEs
Another challenge discussed was the funding of innovation. For off-the-shelf products that meet most requirements, tweaking and procurement can be straightforward. But for new, high-cost systems, private developers need substantial capital—something they often lack and therefore need to be supported.
Here, MSMEs also play a pivotal role. India’s strength lies in its vast pool of skilled entrepreneurs and innovators, many of whom operate without formal degrees but with immense practical expertise. However, MSMEs typically lack deep financial reserves. Supporting them with flexible financing, grants, and access to special materials is essential.
An innovative idea floated during the seminar was the creation of an Atmanirbhar Bharat Bank dedicated to supporting MSMEs. Such an institution could provide flexible credit lines, ensuring that promising ideas do not die for lack of capital. With the right support, MSMEs can not only serve Indian OEMs but also compete globally by offering high-quality products at competitive prices.
Indigenous Systems and the MRO Perspective
From my background in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), I believe that indigenous systems offer a huge advantage in terms of supply chain assurance. While imported products may offer perfection, indigenous products—even if initially only 90% perfect—have the benefit of being continuously improvable. More importantly, they ensure resilience in prolonged conflicts, where supply lines need to be local and scalable.
Conflicts can drag on for months or years, requiring fresh equipment and rapid replenishment. Indigenous capability ensures that the entire country stands behind the armed forces. I have personally witnessed how people outside uniform work tirelessly, even without sleep, to ensure that soldiers get what they need. This spirit, coupled with indigenous manufacturing, can be a game-changer.
Closing Thoughts
The NDTV Defence Summit was not just a seminar but an opportunity to reflect on critical issues: the primacy of products over processes, the potential of AI to streamline procurement, the vital role of MSMEs, and the long-term importance of indigenous systems.
I am grateful to NDTV for hosting this important dialogue and to Cmde Sujeet Samadar (Retd) who facilitated my invitation. These discussions must continue, for they touch upon nothing less than the ability of our nation to defend itself effectively, decisively, and indigenously.
