Defence Expert Calls for Strategic Reforms Following Budget 2026 Announcement
At the recent TOI Budget Dialogues 2026, retired Lieutenant General Raj Shukla delivered a compelling analysis of India's defence spending priorities, emphasizing that the true measure of budget effectiveness lies in operational capabilities rather than mere allocation figures.
Modern Warfare Demands Rapid Capability Conversion
Shukla stressed that contemporary military conflicts require swift transformation of financial resources into deployable operational strength. "The defence budget must be evaluated by what it delivers on the ground, not by the numbers on paper," he asserted during the dialogue session.
Drawing lessons from recent global conflicts including the Ukraine war, the defence expert highlighted how technological superiority has become the decisive factor in modern battlefields. Drones, artificial intelligence systems, space-based surveillance, and precision-guided weapons are increasingly determining conflict outcomes according to his analysis.
Warning Against Outdated Military Strategies
The retired general issued a stark warning about the dangers of preparing for obsolete forms of warfare. He argued that continued reliance on legacy platforms and manpower-intensive approaches could prove strategically disadvantageous in future conflicts.
"We cannot afford to fight tomorrow's wars with yesterday's strategies," Shukla cautioned, pointing to the rapid evolution of combat technologies that demand corresponding adaptation in defence planning.
Systemic Challenges in Defence Procurement
Shukla identified several structural issues within India's defence acquisition processes that hinder optimal utilization of budgetary resources:
- Excessive focus on lowest-cost procurement models that compromise quality and innovation
- Prolonged decision-making cycles that delay capability development
- Inadequate emphasis on lethality and technological superiority in acquisition criteria
He noted that these systemic flaws significantly weaken the impact of even substantial budgetary commitments, creating gaps between financial allocations and actual defence capabilities.
Path Forward for Defence Modernization
The defence expert's recommendations centered on creating a more agile and technology-focused defence ecosystem. He advocated for procurement reforms that prioritize capability enhancement over cost minimization and streamlined decision-making processes that can respond to rapidly evolving technological landscapes.
Shukla's analysis comes at a critical juncture as India continues to navigate complex security challenges while pursuing comprehensive defence modernization objectives. His emphasis on measurable outcomes rather than input metrics provides a framework for evaluating future defence budget effectiveness in tangible operational terms.
