Need strong will to renew defence policies: (Retd) Maj Gen PK Sehgal

Major General PK Sehgal said that no government till now had been able to formulate a strong national security policy, even after the country had engaged itself in several wars. He added that our forces were not equipped to fight cyber-centric warfare.

New Delhi: No government had been able to formulate a national security policy and a national strategy policy till now, though several studies had been conducted after the Kargil war, said (retired) Major General PK Sehgal.

He said, "Our country lacks the political will. No policy on Kashmir and the north-eastern states had been formulated yet. There have been a series of studies conducted since the Kargil war and various recommendations have been made but nothing been complied with yet."

He went on to say that the defence budget had been the weakest since 1950. Against the requirement of 42 squadrons, the IAF has only 29 squadrons. Highlighting the drawbacks, he said, "We are not equipped to fight cyber-centric warfare. We are still structured to fight WW2 war, a war of yesteryear."

Criticising the bureaucratic hurdle, he said, "They (bureaucrats) are not specialised to deal with defence policies but still, our armed forces are responsible to report them. Bureaucrats may be specialised in public administration but are not capable of formulating defence policies." He said that the administration needed to be freed from their authority.

Comparing 5 years of Modi government with the previous years, Sehgal said that we had seen a lot of transition in terms of defence deals. Apache attack helicopter, Vajra guns, submarines, Kamov helicopters and predator drones have been acquired by increasing the expenditure.

Earlier, reserve for ammunition and missiles had declined to just 2% for 2 days against the requirement for 10 days. As of today, the country is holding 10 days of ammunition for a two-front war situation. He appreciated the construction of 73 strategicroads, strategic linkage roads and tunnels. Many road projects near the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh had been completed. He said that it would provide a boost to the country in the upcoming 3 years.

Commenting on the threat from China amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan recently, he said, "China will not intervene in conflict as it knows India is a nuclear power and can change its nuclear policies under the threatening situation."

Suggesting ways for improvement, he said, "The higher hierarchy in defence should be restructured and cyberspace command must be brought into place. Intelligence agencies should not be answerable to bureaucrats."