India must spend right for two-front deterrence. ‘Jugaad’ against China & Pakistan won’t cut it

Dear Shekhar Gupta, while you often use the term 'Jugaad' to critique Indian-made products, history shows the power of this approach. Books on WWII detail how the U.S. overpowered Germany with its own 'Jugaad'—mass-producing tanks and equipment, sometimes of questionable quality, while Germany focused on small batches of perfection. This laid the foundation for America’s world-class arms industry today. For India, which spends massively on importing arms, prioritizing domestic manufacturing isn’t just about economics; it’s about reducing long-term risks. Overall a very thought-provoking segment—thank you!

Decline of defence budget is a goid thing. Money can be used for something important like health care etc

India is still wandering whether to have a 3rd aircraft carrier or not meanwhile China is making a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. This is the state of Indian defense under a so called Nationalist government.

I also don't understand why we're not selling all the Ordnance factories they were corporatorized few years back now is the time to sell them.

You're a funny Indian dude. Your hand movements are as hilarious as your 'analysis'. You Indians are not made for fighting. You Indians will lose regardless of weapons. Every single time!

modi will be known for making the himalayan blunder of breaking the spine of indian military,,,,,,, the number of indian military has been cut drastically by modi government,,,,,,,gurkha regiment is reduced to no nepalese,,,,, defense budget just matches the inflation,,,,, overall gujju modi not good for national security

The scheme is 'detrimental to the combat effectiveness' of the military and the Agniveers are fit for only 'sentry duties', said Admiral Arun Prakash, former Chief of the Naval Staff

The airforce is being neglected due to gov incompetence and lethargic attitude.

lol, process paralysis, cost paralysis, analysis paralysis, thought paralysis. complete stalemate

With its robotic factories that have minimal workers, China can easily produce at least 400,000 ballistic, cruise missiles a year and millions of military drones.

India can't match china in defence expenditure due to two factors.
1. China's GDP is 4.7 times India's GDP. If China spends 3% of it's GDP, India has to spend 14.7% of India's GDP just to match the number. That's too high.
2. China produces practically all of it's weapons whereas India buys a lot of weapons from the west which is 2 to 10 times more expensive than what China's. India probably spends 2 times more expensive than China, that is after considering India spends less on salary and pension.
Many people assume that China weapons are inferior but of late China has shown that it's products are getting better. Looks and their EVs and phones.

India missed a massive opportunity by reducing the mandate of 2024 by falling to false khata khat narrative. This govt is toothless due to reliance on JDU and LJP. Moreover NDA has to promise now freebies to stay relevant. The pandits who hailed that this will result in more democratic processes to follow and will reduce BJP high handedness were short sighted to see what the major problem this broken mandate will do for next 5 years

I dont know when the time will come - when we will say that there are enough fighter aircrafts to have credible deterrence for a 2 front war plus also a naval war. We are always behind the curve on this. Similarly on submarines and aircraft carriers.

One sincerely hopes Shekharji doesn’t get a commission for this public service.

So that’s where agniveer will help
Reduce the cost on manpower and more investment in Eqipment and technology

Chinese J20 is designed exactly to destroy these "force multipliers" behind enemy lines. India can do this against Pakistan but there is no solution against PLA using conventional means.

Developing indigenous engines is a must , it's been 40 years and we have not been able to develop any engine , be it for tejas, or helicopters, tanks, submarines etc

Our Generals and defence planners simply don't have the guts to tell the Indian political establishment the truth of their capabilities vis a vis China and Pakistan , what weapons are needed to maintain an overwhelming edge and always deter Pakistan from any misadventures. It is the skill of our fighter pilots and the valour and sacrifice of our soldiers that we have always won against Pakistan.

Mr Gupta, Thanks for the regular videos on defence. The establishment and the population needs to wake up and address a situation that is actually dire now. Brave soldiers can only take you so far in a modern war scenario. Look forward to continuing defence analyses and calls to action from The Print.

SG Please tag this episode to Defence Minister and FM, Your voice has weight

India should use diplomacy to reach an agreement with Pakistan whereby all issues will be resolved without war, and trade between the two countries will be maximised. This will allow India to only be concerned about China.

Defence doesn't run on daydream. When there is on going threat physically from china & pak sponsored actors, you can't act like an ostrich, burying your head in the sand; & pretend that it doesn't exist.

Defence can't come cheap. Our adversaries will take advantage of this & make us dance around. Only way reduce India's defence budget, is if china & pak reduces their defence budgets too.

If is infortunate that even a Nationalist party like BJP is unnable to ensure that the Armed Forces get the required equipment needed. We are a Nation always close to a war bcos of two difficult neighbours. I dont doubt the Govt but feel that they too are bogged down by the civilian bureaucracy.

Its been 10 years they are not able to fence and secure bangladesh border....

1. You forgot about AD eqpt.
2. What pak did with us post Balakot was to have a AD wall along entire frontier and placing only one CAP of 02 F16s in air.
3. When you can’t acquire state of the art offensive assets, you fill the gap with what Chinese call Assassin’s Mace. A good, capable and networked AD will do a lot for us against an adversary who has advantage in air, in all aspects including Drones, Aircraft’s and Ballastic and cruise missiles.

Kupta ji can find problem for every possible solution.. he is 18th century expert on everything in 21st century.. keep it up.. shake up ..useless

When will Indians realize that they are not at the same level with China? And there is a HUGE WALL that separate them? The whole idea of HAVING A WAR with China is just the Indian defense industry trying to squeeze money out of Indian public.

Indian acquisition works like any pakistani battlefield offensive, great tactically but strategical blunders.

India must spend at least 5% of her GDP on Defence

If you care about independent journalism, kindly check out the government published AQI data vs what our air purifiers are detecting.

56" is not very decisive, contrary to popular propaganda.

Trying to be a hero everywhere, pleasing everybody is his problem.

Sir, you are doing a great service to the country. Our FM and Government needs to understand the importance of defence preparedness

Exactly, we can't be as strong as china, so be strong enough that,they think twice before attacking

Gupta has no shame playing whole life wolf in sheeps clothing against India even at this stage. Can't make one video without blaming indian whichever government is in power.😂 vande matram

No Sir India should prepare for 4 front war and immediately deploy troops in china pak and bangladesh borders. Fourth front will be on the ocean so navy should prepare for 4th front on 3 sides which makes it 6 front war type scenario on india

Why BJP govt is also spending less on army?
Strengthening army is first priority. National security is paramount. We should go in the direction on 2.5% of gdp on defense.

Its NOT just 2 front..its MULtIFRONT..Many internal + many external

Cover Manipuram

Dear shekharji,
Request you to take a seat while delivering the message, sitting on a table and allowing the arvind mills ad to show looks unprofessional

Great analysis and reporting. Government has to channel more money for procurement of needed defence materials!

this is one of those rare occassions where shekhar speaks something really sensible. Rest of all the times he just rants against anything and everything that is favourable to the country as long as the BJP its done by the BJP

Thanks!

IT shall go back. Is that ok.

Technically not even sound to safeguard one front AND THEY TALK ABOUT TWO FRONTS 🤦

Jugaad only works until it does'nt

I feel PMO should project 2025-26 as an year of transformation of IAF.

Order the 97 additional Tejas Mk1A along with 65 LCH for IAF (+90 for Army). Ordering 6 Netra Mk1A AWACS would be a bonus.

Along with that order Brahmos & Pralay Missiles in good enough quantity to start the formation of Indian Rocket Force.

That will provide you with sizeable deterrence and a cushion for a while against China.

2025-26 will also likely see the induction of first Tejas Mk1A Sq. (Delayed dur to GE F404 engine delivery delay by US) and first flight of Tejas Mk2.

It is a well known fact that in today's day and age it is the Air Power that decides the fate of any conflict. Its because Air Power is not restricted by Geography or Borders or Regions.

If you want to take the fight to your enemy, focus on enhancing your Air strength followed by Naval strength (which we are doing well).

Precisely the reason why US, China and Russia focus a lot on enhancing their Air fleet.

Key examples can be seen in Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as Israel-Hamas/Hezbollah/Iran conflict. The ones with a superior air power are leading.

Unfortunately in the last 2 decades, there has been almost no efforts made to even maintain the strength of IAF, let alone increasing it.

You say India would strike Pakistan if a terrorist attack happens BUT what about the terrorism India is sponsoring on our western border?? You people pretend to be angels while having evil designs and actions against us! The disparity that you have been talking about ever since PAF humiliated IAF on 27 Feb, 2019, will NEVER be allowed by us! Pakistan will always have the capability to give India a bloody nose! Fact is India can't even beat Pakistan so fighting a war with China which as 5th generation fighters is a bloody joke so yeah keep living in a fool's paradise! Peace! 🤫

Why GOI taking pussy foot approach. Indian capability must be aimed to match China and even to match dual deterrence. India must march far ahead of Pakistan. Common guys, pump over 5% of GDP at least. But invest in our own R&D and manufacturing.

Sir, from Karnataka. All we need is some 10% of the money that our deputy CM DK Shi has stacked up. If he or his daughter gives it, Indian army can have required advanced equipment. 🎉