2. Govt baffled by Govt? Whatever is said in public by government functionary in this case by the Head of the DRDO and not contradicted officially is presumed to be on behalf of the government? For sure only import lobby -if any would be spreading such canards that government is baffled. But then who exactly in government is unhappy-are they same nameless arms lobbyists who tried all tricks of the trade to unleash tirade against the previous Army Chief?

3. .Jingoistic Kite flying. When missiles are tested there is large presence of teams from various labs, officials and for sure nobody can fudge test results even for the sake of jingoism. Are seven firings with six successes inadequate for such a costly missile system-or should we go on testing till failures? I have witnessed scores of testing of imported systems and have seen how even their duds make an easy entry. BMD is no kite flying by any reckoning–it is serious business involving sweat & payers of the entire nation. The Service which eventually is assigned the BMD will surely conduct further trials to their satisfaction.

4. Specialists Opinion. Missiles are quite complex involving cutting edge technologies on which I have had good fortune to work at production level during late sixties . Without doubting the competence of analysts- it would have been far safer to seek technical inputs too along with the operational appreciations before calling it a hoax?

5. Service before Self. Which service out of three will man the defence shield is to be decided by MoD-but logically it should go to the Indian Air Force for which they must have technical stream officers to commanding BMD units?We can even think of creating an Integrated Rockets & Missiles Command.

6. Lab Conditions. Missiles tests can be conducted only in controlled conditions unless it is war theater where effectiveness gets proven in ops format. The learned analyst being pilot will know well that air to air gunnery is carried out on towed target which at best simulate aircraft target to a very limited extent. Downing an incoming missile fired from 70 km is one the most credible achievements which very few countries in the world can even think of. The longer the range –the earlier should be detection and easier to engage. Whether the missile is fired from 70 km or 700km –interception has to be beyond the bombing line or a perimeter where it will not cause damage to the point or area being protected.Infact DRDO could have simulated missile testing on their most impressive Rail Track Rocket Sled(RTRS) facility at terminal Ballistics Research Lab at Chandigarh also at a fraction of the cost by innovation.

7. Liquid/ Solid Propulsion. It is not correct to surmise that liquid propellant rockets have slow speeds and solid propellant provide higher velocities. Speed amongst other factors like mass ratio will depend on specific impulse, time of burning and both can be much higher in liquid propulsion. Yes newer missiles use solid propulsion due to simplicity. One normally uses old missiles/rockets as targets. Agni-I or II can be best deployed for operational purpose.

8. Third Party. Do we really require certification from other countries that our missile shield is good enough? It is pathetic to trust outsiders than DRDO which is part of our government.

9. Jigsaw Puzzle? DRDO has been the creator of various missile systems in India & possibly they know better than anyone about the anti-missile-missiles & BMD’s. Engaging a fast moving agile missile which presents very small radar cross section area for detection and then destroying it is formidable technology challenge which DRDO has been able to successfully to develop. Surely they deserve kudos instead of doubting even great success stories.

10. Ha Ha. That our BMD could destabilize our fragile neighborhood is one of the most ludicrous arguments akin to that we should not wear bullet proof jackets lest terrorists will get demoralized in not being able to score a kill?

11. Dubious Effectiveness? Use of nuclear arsenal by any country would only be suicidal especially by those having inadequate geography to sustain nuclear chain reactions. Labeling our own BMD dubious is quite preposterous and may be quoting the analyst out of context?

12. In due Course. If BMD comes to Mumbai & Delhi –it can extend to other places needing such protection subject to availability-hopefully.

13. Political Guidance. Now when technology breakthrough in missiles including BMD has been achieved- government can take political decision of even marketing BMD’s /Brahmos systems in time to come for which it has to build up right climate including answering questions which may appear outlandish & technically immature.We must now take slice of the Big Arms Bazaar where we have been fleeced for the last many decades?

3. .Jingoistic Kite flying. When missiles are tested there is large presence of teams from various labs, officials and for sure nobody can fudge test results even for the sake of jingoism. Are seven firings with six successes inadequate for such a costly missile system-or should we go on testing till failures? I have witnessed scores of testing of imported systems and have seen how even their duds make an easy entry. BMD is no kite flying by any reckoning–it is serious business involving sweat & payers of the entire nation. The Service which eventually is assigned the BMD will surely conduct further trials to their satisfaction.

4. Specialists Opinion. Missiles are quite complex involving cutting edge technologies on which I have had good fortune to work at production level during late sixties in one Hindutan Aeronautics Ltd. Without doubting the competence of specialists- it would have been far safer to seek technical inputs too along with the operational/strategic appreciations before calling it a hoax?

5. Service before Self. Which service out of three will man the defence shield is to be decided by MoD-but logically it should go to the Indian Air Force for which they must have Technical stream officers to commanding BMD units?We can even think of creating an Integrated Rockets & Missiles Command.

6. Controlled Conditions. Missiles tests can be conducted only in controlled conditions unless it is war theater where effectiveness gets proven in ops format. The learned analyst being pilot will know well that air to air gunnery is carried out on towed target which at best simulate aircraft target to a very limited extent. Downing an incoming missile fired from 70 km is one the most credible achievements which very few countries in the world can even think of. The longer the range –the earlier should be detection and easier to engage. Whether the missile is fired from 70 km or 700km –interception has to be beyond the bombing line or a perimeter where it will not cause damage to the point or area being protected.Infact DRDO could have simulated missile testing on their most impressive Rail Track Rocket Sled(RTRS) facility at terminal Ballistics Research Lab at Chandigarh also at a fraction of the cost by innovation.

7. Liquid/ Solid Propulsio. It is not correct to surmise that liquid propellant rockets have slow speeds and solid propellant provide higher velocities. Speed amongst other factors like mass ratio (ratio of mass at burn out & initial mass), thrurst coefficient will depend on specific impulse, time of burning and both can be much higher in liquid propulsion. Yes newer missiles use solid propulsion due to simplicity versus complexities in liquid propulsion. One normally uses old missiles/rockets as targets. Agni-I or II can be best deployed for operational purpose- to conserve resources.

8. Third Party. Do we really require certification from other countries that our missile shield is good enough? It is pathetic to trust outsiders than DRDO which is part of our government.

9. Jigsaw Puzzle? DRDO has been the creator of various missile systems in India & possibly they know better than anyone about the anti-missile-missiles & BMD’s. Engaging a fast moving agile missile which presents very small radar cross section area for detection and then destroying it -is formidable technology challenge which DRDO has been able to successfully to develop. Surely they deserve kudos instead of doubting even great success stories.

10. Ha Ha. That our BMD could destabilize our fragile neighborhood is one of the most ludicrous arguments akin to that we should not wear bullet proof jackets lest terrorists will get demoralized in not being able to score a kill?

11. Dubious Effectiveness? Use of nuclear arsenal by any country would only be suicidal especially by those having inadequate geography to sustain nuclear chain reactions. Labeling our own BMD dubious is quite preposterous and may be quoting the analyst out of context?

12. In due Course. If BMD comes to Mumbai & Delhi –it can extend to other places needing such protection subject to availability-hopefully.But if these are hoax at delhi & Mumbai -why bemoan its deployment elsewhere?Is it not self-contradictory?
13. Political Guidance. Now when technology breakthrough in missiles including BMD’s has been achieved- government can take political decision of even marketing BMD’s /Brahmos systems in time to come for which it has to build up right climate including answering questions which may appear outlandish & technically immature.DRDO will do will to keep our analysts posted lest they end up publishing ghost articles penned by arms wheeler dealers? We must now take slice of the Big Arms Bazaar where we have been fleeced for the last many decades?