Self-reliance in the Defence & Nari Shakti

In News

• India’s spirit of self-dependence in the military and its women’s power stood out during the Republic Day parade.

More about the news

• Self-dependence in the military:
  • The Army’s British-era 25-pounder guns — which traditionally offered the symbolic 21-gun salute — were replaced by the indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns (IFG).
  • The Indian Army also showcased other Made-in-India equipment, including its main battle tank Arjun, the NAG missile system, the K-9 Vajra-T gun system, the AKASH air defence system, and the Brahmos missile. 
• Women’s power:
  • In a display of women’s empowerment, the marching contingents of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy were both led by women officers for the first time. 
  • The Central Reserve Police Force also presented an all-women marching contingent in the parade while the Delhi Police had an all-women pipe band comprising 35 women constables.
  • The theme of nari shakti or female power carried beyond the armed forces contingents into the parade’s cultural tableaux as well.
• Agniveers:
  • In another first, the Navy’s contingent also included three women and six men Agniveers.
    • They are the participants in the new Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment to the armed forces which has faced violent protests from army aspirants in some States.

Major defence-related events in the recent period include

• Defence equipments:
  • The commissioning of the indigenously-designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant; 
  • The firing of an SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) from the INS Arihant; 
  • The radical decision to award the manufacture of a military transport aircraft (C 295) to a major private sector entity; 
  • The induction of the made in India Prachand LCH (light combat helicopter); and 
  • The conclusion of a deal with Russia to manufacture a Kalashnikov-type light weapon/small arms in India.
• Defence export:
  • Indias’s defence exports have grown eight times in the last five years. 
  • India is exporting defence materials and equipment to more than 75 countries of the world. 
  • In 2021-22, defence exports from India reached $1.59 billion (about Rs 13,000 crore). 

Women’s participation in the India’s armed forces

• Evolution:
  • The armed forces, traditionally thought of as a male bastion, have in the past 30 years seen success in the induction of women, though the journey has not been smooth.
  • The military opened its doors to women in 1992 when the Air Force inducted its first batch.  
• Limited combat roles:
  • In 2008, a permanent commission was extended to women in streams of Judge Advocate General (JAG) and Army Education Corps.
  • In 2015, India also opened new combat air force roles for women as fighter pilots. 
    • Women have been allowed in combat in the Air Force, but we are yet to see women in combat roles in the army and navy. 
    • Even though women have been in the forces since 1992 all roles and career options are not offered to them.
  • Women in NDA:
    • After the Supreme Court paved the way for women to take the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam last year, the first batch of 19 cadets have joined the tri-services academy in Khadakwasla, Pune.
• Significance of inducting women in defence forces in India:
  • Women officers will be given equal opportunity to contribute to the nation.
  • The armed forces play an important role and need to promote gender equality in the forces. 
  • Providing women with a more challenging and fulfilling career. 
  • It would change the “regressive mindset” for not allowing women in the armed forces. 
  • It will challenge a strong stereotype that assumes that domestic obligations rest solely on women.

Source: TH