(a) Calling Screwdriver a Screwdriver. On the very outset the learned author must be complimented in being fully aware of the fundamental differences between the missile programmes of India & Pakistan. But I am afraid assembling missiles from subassemblies obtained from other countries leads us nowhere. There is lot of difference between screwdriver technology & mastering newer ones by learning from failures. As such comparing even our failures with their successes is outrageous. Having worked on missiles at the manufacturing level some four decades back-I do understand what it takes to develop a missile & the complexities of the technologies involved.
(b) Uncalled for Happiness. Should we as Indians be happy that the projects have been shelved or do some soul searching? Until we do not learn to take failures gracefully & use these as stepping-stones success would always elude us.
(c) And Others. How national pastime of DRDO bashing can be complete without not getting in to the Arjun tracks or recalling the slow speed of our supersonic Tejas? Would there be ever any pride in our own developments? Has not DRDO made us totally self-reliant in conventional armaments? Are we importing any ammo or bombs or rockets or parachutes?
(d) 25 Years & 2000 Crores. Has 2000 crores gone out of the country in swiss accounts or has it been total waste? The technologies developed can be used for other missiles in much less time.
