It was not too long ago, one could tell who the next 5 ACM of the IAF are going to be because the only criteria was seniority and not competence. (such was the govt's apathy towards Armed forces)
Ah yes, things are much simpler now. The Chief of Air Staff retires, and promptly joins the ruling party. The detachment of the politicians and the integrity of the forces is admirable, and in a class by itself. Has anyone heard of a chief of any service being a party member even during his tenure? Family members as members of the RSS, perhaps, but is that not an entirely different matter?
if anything the indian government has interfered less, blatant incompetency was ignored time and time again,
Unbearable.
Imagine, people who were specialists in counter-insurgency were not regarded as the jewels in India's military crown. Instead, mere mindless field-experience war-fighters were preferred.
It took this government to realise who was the real foe, not the one skulking behind its fortifications and causing unpleasant responses within the Raksha Mantri, but the ones defying the state and striving for their rights.
the only area govt interferes more heavily (compared to other nations like USA) is procurement, other area like training regimen, War fighting strategy, etc are something that government has never interfered with but books like The Wellington Experience show us the state of things totally under the control of Armed Forces
The sign of wisdom and discrimination. Other governments were idiots. Where are the gains and peaks to be surmounted in training, war fighting strategy, etc., compared to, say, a single deal for foreign-built fighters? And if, in order to make that possible, the production of a home-grown alternative has to overlooked due to the extreme pressures of procurement work, or the timorous airmen and pilots left unnerved by shrinking numbers, they should learn that this is a pacifist government that will never go to war. What value a few barren acres in a high mountain pasture, or a couple of illusory demonstrations of valour by the enemy?
What's currently happening is strategic Interventionism by the Modi Govt. (although I must admit it is doing more harm than good due to reasons I will talk about some other time)
Well said, Sir, some other time is always the better time to discuss these complicated matters. Meanwhile, procurement awaits. Even though we have production capacity for the equipment of the entire army with howitzers, self-propelled howitzers, towed howitzers, air-lift capable howitzers, howitzers fit for all requirements, it needs a sharp slap across the hind quarters for the silly military to find its collective voice and ask for imports.
