Chapter 53: The Future of Indian Defence
February 20, 1997 – South Block, New Delhi
Inside the conference hall at the Prime Minister's Office, it was a full house by the crème de la crème of India's defense establishment: the Defense Minister; the President of India-as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces-the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; and the heads of DRDO and HAL sat around the big, intricately inlaid mahogany table that dominated the room. The ambience in this room was thick with anticipation.
In came the Prime Minister Animesh Yadav. He looked around the room as all others rose for a while and sat down.
"Let's get started," Animesh said in a cool, commanding tone of voice. "The country is standing at the threshold of a military transformation. The security of our borders, modernization of our forces, and the future of indigenous defense production will be the cornerstones of our strategy. Before we go on to take a look at our big picture roadmap, let's start with the most critical development-progress on the Kaveri engine."
The DRDO chief, Dr. Arunachalam, cleared his throat. "Sir, as you know, the Kaveri engine project was sanctioned in 1986, and ever since then, it has been a very long tortuous journey-much delay, funding limitations, material science hurdles, and lack of advanced testing infrastructure. But I am happy to state that with the fresh push given from your office and the help in classified technology given"-his eyes flickered momentarily towards Animesh-"we have a fully functional prototype."
A murmur went across the room.
The Chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sareen, leant forward: "Are you saying after all these years we finally have an indigenous jet engine ready to be tested?"
Dr. Arunachalam nodded. "Yes, sir. We have done ground tests, and the results have been even better than initially estimated. This version of Kaveri is much more powerful and reliable compared to our earlier models.
HAL Chairman Krishnaswamy intervened, "Sir, the initial problem of the thrust-to-weight ratio which made it underpowered for the LCA Tejas has been overcome. The changes recommended by the special R&D directive"-glancing once again at Animesh-"let us optimize this engine for sustained supersonic performance. We are confident that this engine can power Tejas Mk1 without dependence on foreign engines."
Animesh's face was inscrutable as he steepled his fingers. "That's good progress, but what about reliability and endurance? How many hours does the engine have run successfully?"
Dr. Arunachalam replied, "Over 200 hours of ground testing, and we are preparing for the first flight test within the next few months."
The Air Chief nodded in approval. "If this holds up, we can finally start reducing our dependence on the General Electric F404 engines. This is a breakthrough."
The President, who had been listening in, now spoke for the first time. "This is commendable, indeed. But let us be clear-having a prototype is one thing; mass production and integration into our squadrons is another. What is the next step?
Animesh now turned to the HAL Chairman: "How soon can you begin production?"
"Sir, if the forthcoming flight tests are successful, we can begin limited production in two years' time. But full-scale production will require additional funding and infrastructure upgrades at our facility in Bengaluru."
The Defense Minister spoke, "Prime Minister, while this is great news, the geopolitical factor too needs to be discussed. The Americans and Russians will not be too happy with India developing an indigenous jet engine. They'll pressurize us, maybe even trying to delay progress through diplomatic or economic means."
Animesh smirked, "Let them try. We shall go ahead, irrespective of the objections. India cannot afford to stay dependent on foreign defense manufacturers. I want this program fast-tracked."
He now turned toward the Defense Minister, "Sanction an additional ₹5,000 crores to produce and refine the Kaveri engine so that we don't lag in the development cycle."
It was a big investment, but nobody dared ask the Prime Minister if he was dead serious as silence of that particular moment in that room was massive.
The View of the Navy
He turned to the Navy Chief, who was standing right behind him and said, "Prime Minister if I may point out, all concentration has happened on the Air Force, there is a crying need for urgent attention to the Navy. We are fast turning into an ageing fleet and even though we do have ambitious proposals for an indigenous aircraft carrier, nuclear submarines- we still draw upon Soviet era technology.
Animesh nodded. "Discuss that. What is the status on the ATV project?"
The Admiral said, "Slow and labored. We are aiming at a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, but we are short of vital components, mainly reactor technology.
Animesh leant back in his chair, an knowing smile on his face. "Not for long. DRDO, you will prioritise building an indigenous reactor for the Navy's submarine program. I am inclined to feel we can do it."
DRDO chief shuffled his feet before nodding, "We'll try our best, sir"
"Good, now aircraft carrier-where does INS Vikrant's replacement stand?"
"INS Virat is our only operational carrier, and its life is limited. We have plans for an Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, IAC-1, but because of budget constraints, construction has barely started."
Animesh's gaze turned sharp. "That changes today. I want construction to be accelerated. We cannot afford to lag in naval power."
The Defense Minister turned to him; a sigh escaped his lips. "That will require an additional ₹10,000 crores at the least."
Animesh didn't bat an eyelid. "Done. Find the funds. This is non-negotiable."
There was silence in the room once more. The Prime Minister was pushing hard, changing decades of slow-moving defense planning within minutes.
Already the meeting had run two hours plus, with considerably more to cover. Yet to come: the Army, programs for developing missiles, strategic defense in space.
Animesh stood. "We take a half an hour break. When we return, we discuss the modernization of the Army, and our strategic missile forces."
As the officials rose and murmured amongst themselves, the President watched Animesh with great interest. He saw something in the young Prime Minister which few leaders had-an unshakeable vision and the will to see it through.
Break Later.
The sense of oppression still hung over the deliberations to ensue as the officers resumed their seats. The discussion veered to the most sensitive and heavily guarded topic within the ambit of this meeting encounter: the nuclear program of India with a possible second nuclear test.
Animesh went forward, his eyes working around the Defense Minister, President, and others from the helm of affairs—DRDO, HAL, and the armed forces.
He turned to them and said, "Let's cut the waste. India must become an undisputed nuclear power. It is now time we initiated an event of this magnitude. I want to know the status regarding our nuclear weapons program and what it would take to undertake a successful test. "
....
....
Dr. R. Chidambaram, head of the Indian nuclear program, adjusted his glasses. "Prime Minister, we have steadily progressed. You know that India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, codenamed 'Smiling Buddha,' but we have conducted no further tests since then. Our scientists at BARC have continued research, and we are confident that now we can develop more advanced nuclear warheads, including thermonuclear weapons. There, however, remains a problem.
Animesh nodded. "List them."
Dr. Chidambaram continued, "First, international pressure. The United States, among other Western nations, are keeping a close watch on us. If we go through with another test, economic sanctions are bound to follow. Secondly, funding. It takes great resources to develop and test nuclear weapons-highly enriched uranium, plutonium, testing infrastructure, and logistical support. Our budget allocations are limited.
Animesh leaned back into his chair, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Forget the problem of funding. Astra Defense will handle that."
There was pin-drop silence in the room.
The eyes of the Defence Minister widened in disbelief. "Astra Defence? Your father's company?"
Animesh nodded. "Yes, Astra Defense does have the wherewithal and financial muscle to support this program. I will ensure no shortage of funds delays our nuclear ambitions. Whatever amount is required-whether for procurement of uranium, infrastructure for testing, or research-Astra Defense will cover it. The government needn't spend even a single rupee."
Hitherto silent, the President spoke for the first time. "This is highly unconventional. No private entity has ever funded a nuclear program before."
Animesh smiled. "Let India be the first, then. Let's be frank about it; every country has its undercover financial channels to its strategic projects. The only difference is that we are doing it through an Indian company and not by foreign suppliers or through illicit deals. Astra Defense will function as an unofficial support system to this mission, but vital nevertheless. The government would retain all the control over the program, but funding bottlenecks would never happen.
The DRDO chief, Dr. Arunachalam, spoke after some diffidence. "With adequate funding, we can speed up the preparations. We have a test site-Pokhran. The facilities need to be upgraded, but we can get ready in one year."
Animesh's face hardened. "No delays. I want the test to happen in 1998 at the latest. I also want simultaneous development of delivery systems-Agni and Prithvi missiles must be nuclear-capable."
Chief of Army Staff General Ved Malik simply nodded. "Our strategic forces are ready. If the word is given by the government, we will secure the site and provide all logistics support needed."
Animesh looked around the room. "Then it's agreed. India will conduct nuclear tests in 1998. We will not take permission from any foreign power. This will be done at our will, at a time of our choosing."
Geopolitical Fallout
The Defense Minister sighed. "Prime Minister, we must prepare for some backlash: sanctions by the U.S., diplomatic pressure from the UN-even curbs from financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF."
Animesh's eyes shone bright with determination. "Sanctions will not last. We have to think long-term. A nuclear India is a strong India. Once we emerge as a nuclear power, no nation can dictate terms to us. China and Pakistan already possess nuclear capabilities. We cannot afford to stay vulnerable. The world will respect us only if we have strength to back our words."
The President nodded. "History will remember this decision, Prime Minister."
Animesh stood up.
Thus, the meeting was closed.
But Animesh and the president were still sitting in their respective seats.