Table of Contents
The News
The Observation
- The decision by Central government to award 48,000 crores to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) Tejas MK1A for investment and integration in a native light fighter in to the Indian Air Force will boost Make in India.
- Note:
- 50 percent of the Tejas MK1A’s components, including most prominently its American built General Electric engine, Israeli Elta Radar and British Avionics are imported.
- Nonetheless, the basic design, the composite materials, mathematical proficiency and metallurgy undergirding the design of the aircraft are the product of native effort.
- Note:
The curious case of internal balancing
- The development of the Tejas testifies to the imperatives of internal balancing in international relations.
- Internal balancing relies on a state or country’s domestic resources and efforts to augment its strength.
- The internal balancing approach is generally a costlier approach to accumulating military power.
- India has shown a readiness to strengthen itself through internal balancing.
- Ex: Tejas/Nuclear Technology/Anti-Satellite (ASAT)/Cyber capability.
The curious case of internal balancing
- IAF had complained that Tejas was far behind its competitors like the JAS 39 Gripen manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab and the US made F-16 manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
- IAF had told the government that the “endurance” of Tejas in combat is just about 59 minutes as against 3 hours of Gripen and nearly 4 fours for the F-16.
- Also, Tejas can carry a pay-load of about three tons against nearly six tons and seven tons by the Gripen and F-16 respectively.
The curious case of internal balancing
The benefits of Internal Balancing
Way forward
- Govt must understand that indigenisation is not simply about creating a defence ecosystem where indigenous development weapons can thrive..!!!
- It is equally important to get the end-users.
- The Indian armed services must change their attitude towards Indian Research and Development (R&D) by showing greater faith with the Indian defence industry.
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