*New Delhi:* Following India’s humiliating defeat in *Operation Sundoor*,Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s war hysteria appears to have spiraled out ofcontrol. In what experts describe as a desperate attempt to cover uppolitical and military failures, the Modi government has approved massivedefense purchases worth billions of rupees.
According to Indian media, the government has cleared an order for *97Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets* at a staggering cost of *₹62,000 crore*. Withthis latest deal, the total number of Tejas Mark 1A aircraft in the IndianAir Force fleet will reach 180. These jets are set to replace India’s agingMiG-21 fighters, which are due to be retired soon.
The move comes as Modi is also expected to meet the Chinese foreignminister in a bid to ease years of border tensions.
Reports further reveal that India’s Defence Acquisition Council has alsoapproved the procurement of helicopters and fighter jet upgrades worth *₹1.6lakh crore* in total.
While the Economic Times hailed the program as part of India’s defenseindustry growth, military analysts have dismissed it as *politicaltheatrics rather than genuine defense needs*. Experts argue that theadditional Tejas orders are meant to mask the failures of India’s defensestrategy rather than strengthen its combat readiness.
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The Tejas aircraft, manufactured with over 65% locally sourced components,are being showcased as symbols of India’s self-reliance in defense underthe “Make in India” initiative. However, critics say the program is lessabout military effectiveness and more about propaganda after thedisappointment of the Rafale jets.
Following the *Rafale fighters’ poor performance in Operation Sundoor*,Modi’s defense policies have increasingly been seen as *political opticsdesigned for domestic consumption*. Analysts warn that such moves not onlyweaken the operational capacity of India’s armed forces but also prioritizepolitical image over national security.