From Deterrence to Self-Reliance: India’s Strategic Shift in Defence Preparedness
From Deterrence to Self-Reliance: India’s Strategic Shift in Defence Preparedness India’s defence doctrine is undergoing a decisive evolution. The nation is simultaneously sharpening its long-range strategic deterrence and tackling the most complex engineering challenge in modern military aviation: indigenous propulsion. Two recent milestones underscore this momentum: the successful test-firing of the Agni-IV intermediate-range ballistic missile and a top-level push led directly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accelerate India's indigenous fighter jet engine program . 1. Agni-IV: Strengthening the Strategic Umbrella The successful test-flight of Agni-4 from Chandipur, Odisha—conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC)—reaffirms India’s commitment to a credible minimum deterrence. Strike Capability: Solid-fuel, two-stage missile capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 4,000 km with high precision. Survivability & Mobility: Designed for deplo...