Of course they don't decide how many aircrafts will be procured, but can influence decision of MoD, based on their promises! There are reports that they can even veto the procurement of certain techs, if they say they can develop it and do you think IAF waited so long for the addition of just 2 more A50 Phalcons because they didn't needed or wanted it?
On the other side we have DRDO...
...not having finished DRDO AWACS and dreaming of AWACS India
...not having finished indigenous fighter MMR and dreaming about indigenous AESA
...not having finished LCA MK1, but dreaming about LCA MK2, 3 and AMCA
...not having finished Rustom UAVs, but dreaing about AURA UCAV
...not having finished NAG and Helina / Astra Mk1, or Sudarshan LGB, but dreaming about extended range Helina, Astra MK2 and Ramjet propulsions, or Sudarshan NG
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What's wrong with finishing developments, showing results (at least as some of the basic developments), constant improvement and working according the needs of the forces?
As long as they remain to be non-performers and dreamers, I will keep on pointing out the facts about them.
That's the point! It's not like we wouldn't have the capabilities to be more capable, look at the success ISRO has since years and still DRDO, but also other defence developers in the aero field for example are lacking so much behind of the potential we have in India, but dreaming big, showing off in the media and ego issues are preventing us to bring out the potential and DRDO is leading in these fields of mistakes.