We are surrounded by hostile neighbors since independence, but are we doing anything to upgrade our defense capabilities. This question has to be addressed. For the fear of Bofors like probes, generated by politicians, no one wants to take responsibility for procurement of state of art equipment. In fact even the Bofors probe has not seen it's conclusion in so many years. This reflects very poorly on CBI's capabilities also. The politicians would do a very big service to the country if they kept off defense matters. At the same time the procurement process should be transparent and fast. If we do not revamp the system, we will be overtaken in both technology and numbers by our chief adversary Pakistan, who has already narrowed the gap and come very close.

RM Anthony is a sincere person. If what he has said about cpapbility is true, then the situation is quite grim.Ii is pathetic that this realisation has come after the recent Mumbai blast. Concurrently with the modernisation of the Armed forces,we should gradually ensure that the top-level posts in the security organisations under the Home ministry are manned, on fixed-tenure basis, by the serving or retired Defence personnel.

It is not that the Govt is not aware of these deficiencies,it is the system which is responsible for the delay in procurement.It is the chain involved in the process which is headed by strong IAS/civilian lobby which is delaying the procurement.We have a funny system wherein an anonymous letter with no details can derail the complete process and if some sensible official does not take notice of such letter,our over enthusiastic courts are there to issue stay orders.At times Armed forces are asked to review their Qualitative Requirements to suit certain firms so that Politicians get their share.Tahelka Operation brought out so many anamolies but what happened.to the persons responsible. Except Army which has taken disciplinary actions against its personnel,rest continue in their jobs and must have been promoted also.Shameless politicians continue glued to their chairs.With all these hickups and deficiencies,Defense Forces will not let their nation down.

Our defence minister is out to give us the best armour, we could ever get but we are sick and need resident doctors at once. the viruses like regionalism, communalism, religiosity, languages and corruption are draining out the strength we acquired from our Indian identity. What are we doing about. Can our king's men can put the Humpty Dumpty together again?

Defence minsiter should go ahead with buying new and up to date defence needs, does matter how much it cost. we should give our Army, navy and Air force the best to meet with any chalenge. rest of the expenditure can wait. if we are secure we can progress. othervise all of our progress will be destroyed by our enemies. do not play politics with security learn from Israel.

Mr. Anthony's statement about being surrounded by inimical elements is long overdue. We have to (it is imperative) that we modernise and strengthen our defence forces. With two nuclear none-too-friendly neighbours India would be living ina fool's paradise if she does not . We can earn respect only by strength without having to flex your biceps. Let us do it, whatever the cost because Indiia's security is paramount. Ven Sardi

some lazy and 'goodfor nothing' internal elements

Indian media has painstakingly given this report again and again that corruption and red-tape is taking the toll on the defence-preparedness of our nation. It is being said that the sanctioned strength of IAF is 39.5 Squadrons, while the current strength is near about 32. It is estimated that to give Pakistan a severe blow, at least 44 squadrons are needed and the IAF will be able to reach the 39.5 mark by 2017 only. Whether the much delayed LAC project or the Multi-rol fighter jets to be inducted, these all will take time and there is no alternate. We depend so hugely on Russia, which is known for huge cost and time over runs. Why should not opt for Israeli, French and US systems?Indian media's efforts will continue to go waste until the crap junk sort of politicians continue to prove as the stumbling block. They only wake up after a disaster takes place. These all blogs and news articles will not affext even a single (So called) leader in New Delhi.

so at the end of ur term in power u find this, hence need another 5 years to make up. great going man. ur party has done it for decades, you are only following the line.

O Ya !! HA HA HA HA at last UPA govt

Congress Netas, from the days of Indira Gandhi, have been crying about a foreign hand for all our troubles. Our borders are porous and our internal security are in the hands of characters like N.K.Narayanan. Unless we secure our borders and have a fool proof internal security we will be a target.

............and ruled by impotent and most opportunistic 'netas'. Hope that now the sentence will be complete and sensible Mr. Anthony. One fail to understand as to why your party thought of giving CBSE status to Madrassa education. And that too on the eve of elections. Hope that our Muslim brothren will see through the game of congress and give them the blow they deserve. Tragically we do not have a nationlistic third alternative to both Congress and BJP. The third front is a Kichdi of regional and narrow minded one-seat one-mp parties. By the by, what about the Sunday Chappen education Mr. Anthony? Will that also be given CBSE status?

And we needed the defence minister to tell us this. This was so obvious that again his statement looks pathetic and weak. Typically spineless. Instead of complaining and whinning about things the Armed forces muct take things into their own hands. They must seize power and acquire more funds as our politicians have now consistently shown that they are idiots.

Antony was sharing power with IUML in kerala . which is a communal party notorious in marad carnage .Congress still continue to enjoy thier support . lets tackle internal elememnts like this befoe we cry aloud about the external ones. I guess paranb Mukerji is having throat pain by shouting at pakistan hence antony making up for him

Dear readers,What this polititians are thinking, is it like a Govt Job. I request all polititians if you are not interested for the welfare of our country don't take this type of responsible job. There was a trouble in Kerala-when he was a Chiefminister as wll as home minister, he is sitting in the building conference room and in the ground floor Gundagiri to unnithan is going on and all Television channels telecasting this act but this time the main incharge man Mr.Antony doesn't know this thing happening there, the person is like this then how he can discharge the duties. For God's sake do the needful to purchase whatever you want to modernise our milittary,Nave and Airforce immediately.

it's interesting to see, wheather our illitrate leaders, wheather from congress of B.J.P ..understand the vast number of theats we the indians are in right now??......It's only the beaurocrates of the officials who understands all this,,,but on top we got leaders like MR lalloo......who don't even know what is geopolics?......Are we people right in choosing illitrate people........to handle this great nation???.........

The outside enemies are no worse than internal enemies like our corrupt to core politicians and weaklings like Antony.. Ask him to go to kerala and open a tea stall

Such utterances will only encourage our enemies to act against us with more vigour and aggressive manner. Having understood the reality, though belated, can we not set our house right. Please do something. We all need action and nothing else.

How long it took to admit the truth which was/is known to every common citizen of the country.This guy,Antony,is speaking of defence deficiencies which were wide spoken by all concerned and non-concerned but he and this govt had done nothing all these five years of tenure.The need to acquire 126 F-Jets was planned by NDA around eight years before but this amalgam UPA did nothing to purchase the badly required Jets and other weapons in the list.These goons boost a lot about their well perparedness to face any eventuelity or invasion while the facts are very doubtfullly scaring.At times one questions himself,as real nationalist/patriot,if really it comes to war how difficult it will be to win!Yes,India will have upper-hand in case of Indo-Pak war but certainly India will have to face great losses.It will be difficult job for the soldiers.This acknowledged facts will again remain in the gutter for another decade if this corrupt,greedy,selfish and unpatriotic group keep on ruling.

...are the reasons why we are lagging in defence spending. Bureaucracy and red tape has stalled many defence spending. The amount allocated to this is now reduced by a whole 1% of GDP this year. Corruption dogs purchases . Billions are invested in India's DRDO for 'independent' production of light combat jets, missile systems and helicoptors, with most facing severe delays and snags. Our submarines are antiquated while Pakistan buys from France and China. Most orders

Hey, Good talk. but was government sleeping for last 4 years . why the capability required not meet 100%.

The RM has said nothing new. Surely, every Indian has become painfully aware of the security situation for many years now !!Who is responsible for the military being at 30 percent of its required capabilty, given that the security situation has been bad since 1993 Mumbai blasts, followed by Kargill (1999) , attack on Parliament in 2001

We said the same thing in 1962 after China invaded!

WHO ELSE THAN U (ANTONY SIR) CAN DO THIS. TIRED OF LISTENING TO ALL RUSTY POLITICIANS SAYING BLA--BLA-- TIME TO ACT . REQUEST.

The defeat from China or the experience in Kargil, the spread of maoists or the naxalites has not woken the dear politicians from their sleep to realise that India needs to strengthen its defense forces with modern weapons. So how can a mere mumbai attack can do magic in the political circles to make our India strong. India can only become strong when politicians start to think about India and not for themselves.