Prof. Prodyut Das 2

  The Tejas and the Air Marshal Iss 1.                                                                Prof. Prodyut Das The recent statement by the VCAS Air Marshal AP Singh on the unsatisfactory state of development of homegrown equipment for the Vayu Sena is welcome. He has said no more than what was very succinctly put by Field Marshal Philip Chetwode a hundred years ago: “ The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time”. The present dismal situation with respect to Weapons development – in this particular case due to moribundity of the Tejas and AMCA programmes -cannot change for the better without an admittance by all concerned that things are very bleak. The Air Marshal has cast the first, one hopes, of many stones Such stones are sometimes necessary. In another time and country, at a time of the crisis of War Air Marshall Hugh Dowding of Fighter Command told the political leadership of Great Britain that if “part timer” muddling and not list