IndiGo showed how a single point of failure can ripple across a sector. In defence, where there is no external fallback, the consequences are far more serious.
Deepak Lamba allegedly established Automation Engineering & Industrial Services in July 2022 when he was DGM, Ordnance Factory Ambajhari. Rs 1.71-cr tender awarded just 4 months after.
Defence exports were once seen as exceptions. Today, they are part of annual planning cycles. Startups now pitch to the Army in structured innovation challenges. PSUs participate in global tenders.
Stocks of defence firms surged in past few yrs, by over 1,000% in some cases, driven by narrative that they would gain from govt’s domestic procurement push. Now, those stocks are tanking.
With German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in town, India has told the European nation it is welcome to set up factories here for manufacture of military equipment, it is learnt.
A bad turn in Venezuela would raise the same questions that have dogged the unlawful US strikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean: Why now, and why at all?
The latest comment comes as New Delhi and Washington have yet to sign a trade agreement. India’s purchase of Russian oil has reduced, but Moscow remains top source for crude.
If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.
Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.
WoW!!
Well researched and well written.
For the common citizen, this is a wake up call.
However, it would be helpful to know if multiple suppliers would bring in the advantage of back ups or simply spread the risks too thin – but still high risk.
Also, does India defence have the financial muscle to have multiple suppliers for what are basically closed, highly sensitive and secretive platforms?
Finally, don’t other countries also have the same problem of limited suppliers for cutting edge defence equipment?
BTW, paisa vasool for this write up. Pays to pay for The Print.
WoW!!
Well researched and well written.
For the common citizen, this is a wake up call.
However, it would be helpful to know if multiple suppliers would bring in the advantage of back ups or simply spread the risks too thin – but still high risk.
Also, does India defence have the financial muscle to have multiple suppliers for what are basically closed, highly sensitive and secretive platforms?
Finally, don’t other countries also have the same problem of limited suppliers for cutting edge defence equipment?
BTW, paisa vasool for this write up. Pays to pay for The Print.