DRDO is already offloading detailed design work to pvt firms, providing oversight and funding. That's as DARPAesque as it gets. If pvt firms get a say in who develops what, (without even having the tech base in-house), guess who they're going to run to.
But this whole point is moot if foriegn oem get the 'Indian' tag.
I never said that pvt firms can have a say without having a tech base in house.. neither did I favor indian tag to foreign OEM. I believe you're confusing my pov.
Indian-Darpa is not about giving up current approach in a day. It's a gradual step and offloading design is just the first step. It is not and should not be last step.
I have to go and look for the thread where I talked about the approach drdo should take. I will reply to you once I find it. To give you a clear version.
But this is definitely not as much as darpaesque it can get. And Beauracracy will need to change. Nuclear threat ain't gonna do shit with new doctrine. Op sindoor have opened doors for conventional escalation ladder and war under nuclear threshold.
Let's not be complacent thinking that other side won't come heavier next time. And those babus will be the first to go.. any city hit will lead to outcry against govt which will only embolden govt to weed out naysayers and blockers in MoD. It's a myth that conventional vested interest can't be weeded out. The government have far too many means if it's cornered. This govt just haven't been cornered yet.
Look at galwan 2020 and how quick L&T was partnered up with and zorawar was prototypes and user trials. Cause the govt was cornered as china is not pak, and we don't hold the advantage there.
With chinese back support to pak during op sindoor, we are naive of we think army brass and govt haven't been given a reality check.
If they still don't do it.. then it's their fault. Not a lack of means.
These are not excuses, rather what happens in practice and very much now ingrained into practical habit and the political willingness over decades allowed the same to happen. Reaction over proactive action is preached across every Govy policy and work methodology. There is a reason why the few strategic stuff projects move absolutely unhindered with ease while most others do not. The govt is very happy with how things are as it is and is not actively looking to catch up within a certain timeframe (this is even considering the policy of developed country by 2047 aim). Rather it is you on a personal level want to catch up and catch up fast.
Until we develop the China like mentality which they got from the western society to not and never accept lack of accountability, mediocrity, rampant corruption and willingly hinder progress for sake of certain personal/lobby level based benefit, we as a country will not be in same pace. Be it LCA mk2 AMCA , or even nuke subs or semicon or other niche tech arena. Political willingness is key above all. China, Western countries, USA , Japan Korea you name it, this is true everywhere. They never compromise policy with mediocrity and reservation, if you are deserving you get many many opportunities open right in front of you. Here the Govt will prefer vote bank politics over country progress. As long as this is how things are, we will continue at current slow pace in a reactive mode.
Nah.. that's chinese propoganda you bought into. CCP has a lot of corruption going on and issues that public is not privy to.
No doubt it's ahead of India, but present govt can't be blamed for it solely and it will be wrong to say that it's not working within the political reality to bring systematic changes.
Are there issues? Yup. Can a better approach be taken? Yes.
But do look at overall changes brought in how things work. Wether it's telecom, electricity etc.. all this have indirect effect on military industry complex. We need a thread where small reforms are mentioned, beyond big headlines. Things that actually brings ease. Not effecting everyone but someone out there.
And this goes for every govt. Small things and changes led to UPA disaster..
small things also led to 370. Congress(before UPA) had diluted 35a and 370 a lot .. making it realistic for BJP to do what it did in effective way. It's just that BJP didn't have to bore the burden of muslim vote bank.. giving them political space to hit final nail in coffin. And that's very very significant on its own.
* UPA was disaster. Just felt like mentioning it again
.. they allowed congress to be hijacked by foreign interest way too much.
There's still a lot to be done and govt is not perfect. But my god! It's way better than the alternative we have today. Sadly, that's democracy.
Plus we are too concerned about non-proliferation/arms embargoes, etc. For example, we don't seem to the means to source/steal tech we need from willing sellers in war-torn countries like Ukraine (like the Chinese and Iranians who acquired Kh-55 CM blueprints in an under the table deal in the 1990s)
Too much idealism. And fear of Pakistani influence. That could also be the reason defense tech is so guarded.
It's only after 2016 that india have started taking hard stance on pakistan and their symphatisers in india. I am sure their symphatisers in companies being allowed to get hands on defense tech are weeded out.
