Meet army's needs first, increase fleet strength'

A week after India’s $5.2 billion deal with Russia to bolster the air defence with five S-400 Triumf systems, former IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy picked gaps in the country's defence preparedness strategy, while defending his successor and other officers' endorsing Rafales. Excerpts:  

Your comment on India's defence preparedness and measures to be taken to bolster it?
You are asking me to comment on a very vast subject. All three services have priorities which must be addressed. The Army's needs have to be addressed, irrespective of whether it is the weapons or bullet-proof jackets or the infrastructure required to support officers and soldiers. Modernisation of weapons and communication systems is just one aspect. There are many requirements which have to be addressed by the government, specially to counter the threat from the north-east. The Air Force without doubt has been facing shortage of fleet, so that's the priority. The navy must be strengthened and so also the Coast Guard. Who will guard the coasts when the navy is out engaging the enemy?

Some reports point at the fact that the Army has a low stockpile of ammunition and might not be able to fight an intense battle for more than 20 days?
I don't know about these reports, but I know that a good mechanism should be in place to help the Chief of Army Staff place requirements of his officers and men and take it up with the Prime Minister if required. This mechanism did not exist earlier, nor is the government facing a financial crisis to address the requirements of the army. I think this is better than the system we had earlier. A holistic approach is the need of the hour rather than give all three services weapons and supplies in bits and pieces.

The IAF has issued a RFI (Request for Information) as the first step towards purchase of 110 new fighters. Does it signify a MMRCA 2.0?
The IAF had long ago sought enhancement of its fleet to 126 fighters. Now that we are acquiring 36 Rafale jets, the rest can be bought this way to increase the fleet strength.

On Rafale, right from the Chief of Air Staff have commented? Officers normally evade comment on the grounds that they are not permitted to speak on classified information.
The Chief of Air Staff spoke on the eve of Air Force Day and obviously had the consent of the defence minister or other top people in the government, but he did not disclose any classified details about Rafale. I am sure that's true of the vice chief and the others.