Narendra Modi is remaking India’s 1.4m strong military
The goal is to close the gap with China
Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, often dons fatigues while visiting troops in Kashmir. On November 25th he went one better by squeezing into a flight suit and taking a sortie over Bangalore in a Tejas fighter jet. The Indian-designed plane embodies Mr Modi’s push for India to make more of its own weapons. It also embodies much of what has gone wrong with the country’s defence. The jet is 20 years behind schedule, underpowered, and disdained by Indian pilots.
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This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Gunning for the top”
From the December 2nd 2023 edition
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