Is cancelling Russian weapons deals right or not? Maybe not…

 Is canceling Russian weapons deals right or not?                           Maybe not…

By- Kartikeya Semwal 

Mig-29UPG of IAF

We all know that China has been a pain in the ass for the past 2 years. And in order to deal with them effectively, we need a lot of weapons, of different types and pretty soon. And like before, Russia has offered them of which deals for some of them had been signed. These weapons included medium multirole 220 Kamov choppers for army and airforce, 10 KA-31 choppers for navy, 800 Igla-S atgm system & 21 Mig-29 UPGs, The last one was worth Rs.7000 crore and was considered as pretty costly. 

Ka-31 chopper


All the above-mentioned deals have been cancelled in the name of reducing weapon dependence and import in favour of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” & “made in India” schemes. But I’m worried about the last one, i.e. of cancelling purchase of 21 Mig-29 UPGs. These were much needed as they would make 1 full squadron + 3 extra for training. Their price could have been bargained & reduced. Since we all know that Tejas Mk-1 isn’t being produced at a fast pace and Mig-21Bs keep crashing from time to time. Keeping both these points & a ready China in mind, those 21 Mig-29 UPGs were much needed and their deal shouldn’t have been cancelled. They play an important role in guarding our eastern borders.

Mig-29UPGs patrolling Himalayas


 



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