Public sentiment regarding India's defense preparedness is mixed, showing strong support for modernization and enhanced capabilities, alongside significant frustration over government inaction and lack of accountability. While many express admiration for the armed forces, critical opinions focus on political distractions and ineffective strategies.

Indian Government


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My comment is going to be way off topic. Apologies.

The comparison with Doordarshan is off. They are better than the for-profit TV channels who are privately funded but are plastered with ads and shouting "breaking news' for trivial crap, and air meaningless debates with people screaming at each other or pushing their own agendas and ulterior motives. 

Doordarshan has so many informative programs. Yes, it isn't attractive, and it is alleged to be biased towards the government of the present regime, but the core content is actually not that terrible as private TV channels. I know that's not exactly a high bar, but the private channels are abysmal so there's that.

End of my wildly off topic comment.

krishnakumarg


If the govt really cared they have a 100 different ways to get results. But it's still the same incompetent shit, which only tells me the govt doesn't care and HAL is an easy scapegoat. Public is satisfied with the scapegoat, and so no pressure to change on the govt. Nothing will change.

Viva_la_Ferenginar

Real question is why allocate money to auyush  when research gets Pittance

alv0694

You are blaming only HAL which is wrong. The blame  is on HAL, IAF and DRDO/defence labs. They have never really sat down together and ironed out their differences. This has led to all kinds of delays and tamashas.

ishanYo

Spoke to a DRDO guy a few years ago and casually compared how DRDO is able to mission specs but HAL struggles with any project. He had an interesting take on it.

He said the armed forces (decision makers) keep changing requirements. One day aircraft must carry X kg of payload, next day its X+100 and integration of some new radar array. This meant going back to drawing board to analyze design changes for additional load and integration. This keeps happening on a frequent basis.

thrSedec44070maksup

Define "crawling"  
CCS approval for LCA Mk2 came in 2021 and the funds were released only after the '23 MoU with GE for engines. Add to that, its flying next year....so what exactly is "crawling" there?

HAL is just a scapegoat, CATS Warrior, HTTE-40, HJT Yashas, IMRH/DBMRH are all being funded internally by HAL at a time when IAF needs all these platforms, tell me is the govt sanction not justified for CATS? MUM-T is going to be the future until the fighter jets themselves can go 100% unmanned

Yes they do have their problems, at the end its a sarkari company with too many lazy workers and babus and we NEED a private player in this area and the only way to do it is AMCA &amp; MRFA.

Also, halwa hai kya? What magic will Dassault do when they cant even get FCAS in the skies without fighting with Germany for 0.1 seconds. AMCA needs to be 100% Indian, thats why the biggest condition for the engine partner (Safran it seems) is total IP rights with India. Designing, realising, testing and manufacturing aircraft and especially fighter jets isnt like "oh this guy know it, lets make it in 6 months". That statement is completely stupid

Oh and what of Putin's intervention? How many SU-57 are flying? How many AL-51 engines have been made?

FlamingWolf8655

Never imagined that the first 5th gen vs 5th gen fight could be the J-35 vs the Su-57

DungeonDefense

Russia themselves don’t use it against Ukraine. As great as this looks on paper it likely doesn’t perform the same in the air. If it did the Russians would be using it at scale.

Revolutionary_Sky329

What Su-57?

Russia doesn’t even have the the manufacturing capacity to even make any Su-57

MD_Yoro

Pakistan received 5th gen fighter jets already.
We need this ASAP!

[deleted]

Ukraine just announced that they got hold of Tupolev aircraft manufacturers top secret data, even hacked their website. I wonder how much of that data is related to these aircrafts.

Debesuotas

🤣 5th gen’s gonna get destroyed by 4.5 and 4th gen strike fighters. 😂 this is gonna be the one time the U.S. and China are gonna be drooling to let the f-16’s and j crafts blast off. To knock these radar targets out the sky.

AntInformal4792

Too much head banging on 5th Gen fighters. None of the 5th Gen fighters in the world have the operational history under their belt for India to consider them. F-35s was still shot down recently which US media called "crash in an incident". F-22 for all it's capabilities has shot down one weather balloon. J-20, J-35 and Su-57 also have no operational history. These countries are still relying on their hardened fighters like F-15, F-16, F-18, and Super Sukhois of India and Russia.

hrrrrx23

I work with a few defence contractors and the level of corruption is mind blowing. Id rather Russia have semi autonomy over the source code, atleast then there will be some level of accountability.

jetsetgo1

arent these jets hella expensive and tedious to produce ? and doesnt russia face supply chain issue and also just doesnt use them in ukrain ? either due to the patriots or F 16s (even though these are old ones)

then also coupled with the fact this aint exactly a tried and tested jet, I rate russian jets (only cuz they look badass and well the flanker and fulcrum where great along with the duck)

but then again its the pilots that matter and not the jet

ReaperPlaysYT

India can now customize, upgrade, and integrate its own tech into the jets.

•	⁠Includes local manufacturing at HAL using existing Su-30MKI lines. •	⁠Boosts India’s AMCA project with tech in engines, radars, and AI. •	⁠Major leap toward defense self-reliance and reduced foreign dependency.

Check out r/ShareMarketupdates for this type of post daily

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"Modi seriously needs to learn from Chinese leaders and implement reforms. If he doesn’t bring about economic changes despite winning elections, people will always remember him for what he failed to do."

Unable-Ad931

the author isnt wrong but expecting one man to change a mammoth of country is a tall ask. while all the points he makes are absolute correct the change for this has to come from the people. this cannot be a top down change it has start as a bottom up so that it is build on a solid base and not dependent on one person who creates a single point of failure and then top down becomes a supporting change which converges in the middle. but the country does not want reform we have seen this time and again. we are all NIMBY citizens. 

this about 2014, the government asked for a small thing from us, don't throw garbage outside, dispose it properly we couldn't even do that. stop at red light, don't do that. 

the author is absolutely right we are in the space where we need to grow massively but for that to happen there needs to be a push from the population to actually change. 

be the change you want to see in the world

d_PurplePineapple

When your opposition leader and enemy leader hardly have any difference! You need to focus on elections as well. 

Confident_Appeal5729

The argument is quite ironic. Any change needs a democratic process which requires an  electoral support. I hope the author is not suggesting that Modi taken the "Chinese " way to bring changes. 

It is really easy to make an intellectual point but to implement is a different game altogether. Also if the govt makes changes and loses election, the changes will be attributed as reasons of loss and the next govt with a dumbass PM will revert any change, he perceives as reason for the loss of earlier govt.



Here's a detailed summary of the article “India faces its most dangerous decade while Modi is wasting his political capital on elections” by R Jagannathan, published in ThePrint on 16 June 2025:


---

Main Argument

The author argues that India is entering its most vulnerable decade, facing unprecedented geopolitical and internal challenges, yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi is misusing his political capital by focusing more on winning elections than implementing urgent structural reforms.


---

Geopolitical Challenges

Global instability is rising:

The China-Pakistan axis is becoming a greater threat.

Bangladesh may align with them post its elections.

Russia, locked in the Ukraine war, is in China’s orbit.

The US under Trump is unreliable, inward-looking, and unpredictable.

West Asia is unstable due to escalating Iran-Israel tensions.




---

India’s Core Vulnerabilities

1. Economic Dependency:

Unlike other rising nations (e.g., Japan, China), India lacks U.S. support.

Both China and the U.S. may act to slow India’s rise.

Achieving a $10 trillion economy and creating high-quality jobs could take over a decade.



2. Defence Preparedness:

Indigenous defence projects (e.g., AMCA jets, nuclear submarines) need 10+ years.

Meanwhile, China is fast-rearming Pakistan, creating a short-term threat.





---

Need for Political Consensus

India’s reforms are stalled due to lack of cross-party cooperation.

Current politics is poisoned by ego clashes, particularly between Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

Modi government continues many Congress-era programs (e.g., Aadhaar, MGNREGA), proving ideological similarities, yet mutual distrust prevents cooperation.



---

Missed Opportunities for Unity

Example: During Operation Sindoor, the government wisely included opposition leaders like Shashi Tharoor in foreign delegations.

However, tensions with Congress persisted due to lack of direct outreach (e.g., no call from Modi to Rahul Gandhi).



---

Key Reform Areas Needing Urgent Action

Defence industrial base

Agriculture

Land &amp; labour laws

Judiciary and police reforms


These reforms will take 3–5 years to yield results, but cannot happen without political will and unity.


---

Critique of Modi’s Leadership Approach

Modi avoids direct engagement in all-party discussions.

His excessive focus on electioneering and image-building is a distraction.

Modi has the political capital needed to lead big reforms but isn’t using it effectively.



---

Centre-State Tensions

Federalism is dysfunctional:

Centre holds too much power.

States are over-reliant on the Centre for funds but resist reforms.


Governors and bureaucracies often act as Central agents, worsening state-centre relations.



---

Policy Paralysis and Reform Fatigue

Modi’s second term saw:

Rollback of farm laws (due to protests).

CAA stalled due to political backlash.

Privatisation momentum lost after Air India sale.


Even BJP-ruled states are not pushing reforms due to complacency and political dependence on Modi’s popularity.



---

Strategic Focus Areas Ignored

Farmers' protests, judicial delays, poor urban governance, and religious unrest are diverting attention from:

National security

Economic competitiveness

Infrastructure

Job creation




---

Proposed Way Forward

Modi must shift from electoral to governance mindset.

Use his clout to:

Build cross-party reform consensus

Empower states and local governments

Personally engage in delimitation, decentralisation, and national strategy



He must balance toughness with openness, addressing China-Pakistan threats while unifying domestic politics.


---

Final Message

&gt; “What’s the use of all my political capital if I can’t get things done?” — The article urges Modi to introspect and act.



India doesn’t need just a “double-engine government.” It needs three synchronized engines: Centre, State, and Local—working together to ensure growth, reform, and stability.


---

Source: https://theprint.in/opinion/india-decade-of-vulnerability-political-consensus-modi/2659034/


Edit:  personally I will suggest people to don't downvote mindlessly before reading article and share this article so that it can reach at maximum number of people and Govt wake up

BROWN-MUNDA_

While I agree to all this, I disagree with centre-state disagreement thing. Both are aware that the states are doing gimmicks of this regional and language thing. Otherwise, they meet and make deals with quite eagerness. 

Remember when momo di said that she will open the borders to kanglus during their "revolution"? Then backtracked to "India first" thing? I am inclined to believe that modi Amit have instructed states to not do BS only security issues.

Same in Punjab where till ajnala modi BJP was the biggest enemy of Sikhs? Then maan spends couple of days with Amit shah and a week later, pols aa gayi pols action happens.

Same is happening in Kerala and kashmir and NE states. like modi says "Paisa kamao, roti khao"

I guess Modiji doesn’t want to repeat mistakes of NDA 2003 by having UPA 1 heavily take advantage of NDA schemes. We need Modi ji to be in power first to implement his schemes and the means winning elections.

bloodborned

Decentralization is required, but no parties are ready to do that.

Absolutely spot on. There is a saying in Kannada which translates to “Wasting a Brahmastra on a sparrow.” And this is what BJP is doing with Modi, making him run around states in the last leg of elections. 

Modi in turn is also to blame for not developing the next set of leaders to take the mantle. For a generational leader with this much of internal support and global influence the outcomes have really been minimal.

chapalatheerthananda

I haven't watched the video but there were lot of international pressure during 71 war  US was already humialted and excessively annoyed by indra.

Background_Pension95

I read somewhere... "India never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity."

Nrj_499

If you watch Sam Manekshaw’s interview, he clearly says that Indira Gandhi made a blunder in the Shimla Agreement. She trusted too much Bhutto despite knowing his duplicitous aur manipulative reputation.

OtherwiseChard1897

Yes , India won the war but lost on the table . Atleast our 50+ POW should have returned from Pak bcoz we returned their 93000+ soldiers

Cold-Toe6549

Indira failed to take back its own 53,000 Indian PoW ,  we could make Bangladesh as part of India , we could take PoK back , we could Capture Pakistani Land on other Hand We created another Islamic Country Bangladesh as result now we surrounded by 3 Enemy Countries , who want Tear India into pieces , problem is Former Created lots of problems and now currently we Facing it and losing our lives

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I like the sound of it, it doesnt fix our indigenous engines problem tho. We ASAP need help with that, probably japanese deal is good, they are offering a 180kn adjustable thrust engine to us and are ready for ToT and local production! Thats like getting served on golden platter. I doubt IAF will accept that tho cuz japan is an american puppet and it could be a trap. Other option is safran, but they arent that good of a deal tbh. Yall decide and lets write a letter to Rajnath Singh to wake him up from his sleep.

PolicyHour8661

As per some reports USA is also to offer f 35 with India modifications

Friendly-Tennis-587

India can now customize, upgrade, and integrate its own tech into the jets.

- Includes local manufacturing at HAL using existing Su-30MKI lines.
- Boosts India’s AMCA project with tech in engines, radars, and AI.
- Major leap toward defense self-reliance and reduced foreign dependency.

For this type of more exclusive content and market updates daily 24*7 follow our WhatsApp channel we promise you will never be disappointed

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6dI4LFXUuUjbs9Ec2F

It will be a diplomatic disaster since it will burn bridges with the US if we do so and the kind of attacks we will face from the MAGA Zombies and their biased media. Similarly if we go with F-35 not only we will be loosing our freedom and strategic autonomy but similar to the previous case we'll loose our good relationship with Russia and it might push Russia closer to China that's exactly what China desires. So it's a loose-loose situation for us

Ryan_switch

Jaded-Use1082

Its a great move by Russia, as USA is forcing India to purchase their jet and France is not providing source code for Rafael. And here India is in dilemma to save their relationship with 2 major nation.
So the best option is to develop our own jet which we r doing. But China is soon providing 5th gen fighter jet to Bhikharistan.
Which is more alarming. 

Let's see what India do.
Jai hind.

Lord-Harshal

The only reliable option is AMCA with indigenous engine that's it

No-Abrocoma7121

Su-57 has some Chinese electronics. It could possibly lead to hijack at the time of contest.

Mother_Guidance_3246

The Combined Commanders’ Conference emphasizes the need for enhanced operational readiness and modernization of India's armed forces.

India's Defence Preparedness and Challenges

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want