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Strengthening India’s Defence Networks in Asia
Context:
Recent defence agreements highlighted during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s participation in a Southeast Asian defence ministerial forum in Laos underscore the untapped potential of India’s security cooperation with like-minded Asian countries.
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- With China’s growing military capabilities and the urgent need for India to modernise its defence industrial base, forging strong defence networks with Asian allies has become a strategic necessity.
Expanding Defence Partnerships
- India’s recent agreements with Australia and Japan reflect this strategic shift.
- The arrangement with Australia facilitates air-to-air refuelling between the two nations’ military aircraft, significantly enhancing operational reach and interoperability.
- Meanwhile, discussions with Japan have led to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on jointly producing stealth technology for Indian warships, signaling deeper industrial collaboration.
- While these initiatives are currently limited in scope, they lay a foundation for more robust cooperation to address shared security challenges in the region.
The Challenge of Chinese Assertiveness
- A major driver for India’s defence partnerships is China’s assertive stance on territorial disputes and its rapidly expanding military capabilities.
- Despite Beijing’s recent efforts to soften its diplomatic tone after years of aggressive unilateral actions, the fundamental concern lies in the scale of its military power.
- China’s defence expenditure dwarfs that of its regional neighbors combined, including India and Japan.
- China’s vast industrial infrastructure, coupled with three decades of modernisation and significant investment in defence research and development, has resulted in an unparalleled surge in military production.
- For instance, China commissioned 70 submarines between 1995 and 2020—an unprecedented pace since World War II.
The Regional Response
- No single Asian nation, including India, can counter China’s growing military dominance alone.
- This reality has driven many countries in the region to deepen security cooperation with the United States.
- While China promotes the narrative of “Asia for Asians,” arguing against external powers’ military presence, most Asian nations see this rhetoric as a veiled attempt to consolidate Beijing’s primacy in the region.
- China’s assertiveness has, in fact, bolstered regional support for the U.S. military presence.
- However, the question today is less about the legitimacy of American military involvement in Asia and more about its sustainability and effectiveness.
America’s Evolving Role
- The U.S. no longer enjoys uncontested military dominance in East Asia.
- While its armed forces remain qualitatively superior, the quantitative growth of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is shifting the regional balance.
- Compounding this challenge is the U.S.’s need to divide its military resources across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
- Geopolitical developments in Europe and the Middle East have further strained America’s strategic focus.
- NATO commitments remain robust due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have drawn the U.S. back into the region.
- These multi-theatre obligations limit Washington’s ability to fully concentrate on countering China’s rise in Asia.
- Adding to this strain is the U.S. military-industrial complex’s inability to meet the growing demand for weapons and ammunition.
- Outdated production facilities, a shortage of skilled personnel, and reliance on external partners like Japan and South Korea further complicate the U.S.’s efforts to maintain military competitiveness.
India’s Opportunity for Transformation
- For India, this evolving geopolitical landscape presents both challenges and opportunities.
- Addressing the massive gap in defence capabilities with China requires urgent reforms and modernisation of its defence production ecosystem.
- India has begun taking steps in this direction by signing defence industrial roadmaps with the US and France and exploring similar collaborations with Italy.
- Emphasis on private sector involvement in defence production and increased focus on arms exports signal a shift towards self-reliance.
- A high-level committee has also recommended restructuring the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance efficiency and innovation.
