Modi 2.0 Anniversary: A Look Into NDA Govt's Landmark Defence Decisions That Redefined India's Military Prowess During Last 1 Year

The BJP-led NDA government took some historic and first-of-its kind decisions with an underlying aim to strengthen and synchronize the internal functioning of our Tri Services (Indian Army, Air Force And Navy ) and also redefine and boost India's military prowess and stature in the global landscape.

Chief Of Defence Staff General BIipin Rawat (Image: PTI)

The 'Modi 2.0' government in continuation with its iron fist policy to bolster the nation's armed forces once again led from the front in underlining the significance of defence and internal security as one of the key focal points of its state policy. The BJP-led NDA government took some historic and first-of-its kind decisions with an underlying aim to strengthen and synchronize the internal functioning of our Tri Services (Indian Army, Air Force And Navy ) and also redefine and boost India's military prowess and stature in the global landscape. The well timed and visionary decisions of the government came at the backdrop of the rapidly changing dynamics of military warfare which has witnessed a considerable rise in integrated precision based surgical operations jointly planned, undertaken and clinically executed by the three services to combat the guerilla warfare and non conventional tactics adopted by militant outfits along our international borders and the hinterland. Over the past few years, the nation learnt its better lessons from the barbaric Uri and Pulwama terrorist attacks unleashed on its security forces in J&K and envisaged a new-look and more pro-active strategy to counter and payback its adversaries who orchestrate, sponsor and execute terrorism from their soil into the Kashmir Valley and hinterland. So let us look at some path breaking steps taken by the 'Modi 2.0' government to help our armed forces become more robust, self reliant and combative during its one year of completion in office 1. General Bipin Rawat Appointed As India's First Chief Of Defence Staff (CDS) - Dec 30, 2019 After winning the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with a thumping majority and returning back to serve the nation for a second successive term on May 30, 2019; the PM Modi-led NDA government initiated the appointment of the first ever Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a major milestone to create the much required and long awaited synergies between the tri services (Indian Army, Indian Air Force And Navy) and thereby act as a catalyst in timely and effective decision making in policy related matters from a defence and strategic standpoint. Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was appointed as India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on December 30, 2019. General Rawat was named the Chief of Defence Staff just a day before he was to retire from service after completing a full three-year term as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). General Rawat's appointment as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was a historic first in the annals of India's military history as he became the first ever armed forces General officer to hold the post of the Chief of Defence Staff. The CDS will function as a single-point advisor to the government on matters related to the tri services and will focus on creating better synergies and coordination between the three services of the armed forces. 2. Abrogation Of Article 370 and Legislation Of J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 In a rather bold and gutsy announcement which gives the Union Government more power, autonomy and control over key decision making matters related to Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on 5 August 2019, announced the Modi-led NDA government’s proposal to revoke Article 370, and proposed the bifurcation of the J&K into two Union territories – Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh The J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 was legislated and passed by both the Houses of the Parliament in August 2019, and Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gave special status and privileges to J&K for almost seven decades, was scrapped and abolished via a Presidential Order in 2019. The revoking of the Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir is seen by many defence and strategy pundits as a long term political strategy by the Indian Union to counter and eliminate the long prevalent status quo in the erstwhile state where an atmosphere of radicalisation, fear and hatred was spewed by the separatist leaders and Pakistan backed proxies among the civilians to brew up anti India sentiments. 3. Self Reliance And Indigenisation In Defence Manufacturing And Production - Feb 16, 2020 With the Modi 2.0 Sarkar's clear cut policy to promote self reliance and indigenisation in defence manufacturing and production, the Defence minister announced a spree of steps to give a push to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ which primarily included, raising foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in defence manufacturing, creating a separate budget for buying locally-made military hardware and notifying a list of weapons/equipment that cannot be imported. The Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Feb 16, 2020 announced that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the defence manufacturing sector (under the automatic route) would be hiked from 49 percent to 74 percent subject to security clearances. The Defence Minister said the list of weapons banned for import will be reviewed every year and more items will be added to it after consultations with the department of military affairs (DMA). The Def Minister added that separate budget provisioning will be done for domestic capital procurement with an aim to the huge defence import bill. With regards to the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the Modi government has backed its decision on the premise that it would help improve autonomy, accountability and efficiency in ordnance supplies.