National Security Not Just About Safeguarding Borders, Govt Has Adopted Holistic Approach To Bolster Defence Preparedness Against Highly Fluid Emerging Threats: Raksha Mantri

Key Highlights:

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh recently stated that national security extends beyond safeguarding geographical borders, rejecting the 'Perimeter Fallacy'.
• The government has adopted a holistic approach to national security, addressing threats like cyber-attacks, drones, and disinformation campaigns.
• India's security policy now balances diplomacy with military preparedness, exemplified by actions like Surgical Strikes and the Balakot air strike.
• Significant focus is placed on Aatmanirbharta in Defence, with increased budget allocation and indigenous development.
• Defence budget has nearly tripled from FY 2013-14 to FY 2026-27, reaching ₹7.85 lakh crore.
• India's new policy against terrorism has evolved towards 'deterrence by punishment', making no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors.

Detailed Insights:

• Modern challenges to national security include unmanned aerial vehicles, cyber-attacks, lone wolf attacks, and disinformation campaigns.
• National security is intrinsically linked to economic and energy security, with hostile actors potentially targeting these areas.
• The government emphasizes both the 'power of argument' and the 'argument of power' to engage with other nations effectively.
• Strategic partnerships like QUAD and I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, USA) are being leveraged for cooperation in new areas.
• India's active participation in multilateral organizations such as BIMSTEC, BRICS, and SCO has increased.
• The government has clarified that terrorism and talks, or terrorism and trade, cannot coexist.
• National security and national development are complementary, with a strong economy providing more resources for defence.
• Defence production has surged to ₹1.80 lakh crore, with continuous modernisation of Defence Forces and transformation of Ordnance factories.
• The 'Three Ts' of warfare – Terrain, Technology, and Thinking – are crucial, with a focus on technological development in new domains.
• Capabilities are being developed in drones, AI, cyber security, electronic warfare, space, and quantum technology.
• Indigenous UAVs like Rustom, Ghatak, and Nagastra, and missiles like BrahMos and Agni-5 (with MIRV technology), are highlighted.
• Allocation for defence R&D has increased by over 112% since FY 2014-15, with 25% opened for industry, start-ups, and academia.
• Licensing rules in defence production are simplified, and Positive Indigenisation Lists promote domestic manufacturing.
• Defence Industrial Corridors and the Srijan Defence Equipment Empowerment Platform strengthen the domestic supply chain.
• Welfare measures for soldiers include expanded ECHS facilities, the SPARSH platform, and implementation of One Rank One Pension.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Perimeter Fallacy: The misconception that national security is solely about safeguarding geographical boundaries.
• Aatmanirbharta in Defence: The vision of achieving self-reliance in defence design, development, and manufacturing.
• Deterrence by Punishment: A strategic approach where any terror attack from hostile soil is met with a punitive response.
• Positive Indigenisation Lists: Government lists specifying defence items that must be procured from domestic sources.