Let me first clarify
why the post about the Top Brass making various strategic errors/blunders over the years was brought up; the
context, which you have conveniently evaded, was a discussion over "Top Brass Knows Best" VS. entertaining the possibility that maybe it doesn't. So, I provided (non-SAM) examples of various things where I felt the Top Brass should have done more, and done it sooner (i.e. strategic errors.)
My blood boils reading your petty accusations --- as if suggesting that our Armed Forces could take a more offensive approach in dealing with corruption, R&AW sponsored terrorism and other ills means there is a secret agenda. I actively work to neutralize the 'secret agendas' you accuse me of being a part of.
Sad day for me on the forum given that I work with the people fighting the fights that you think I know nothing of --- but I do agree that we are both patriots (just different approaches), have a deep respect for our Armed Forces (still by far the best institution and the only reason Pakistan is still in tact) and a shared hope that the right systems will be acquired!
You're right --- it's a thread about SAMs, so let's stick to that. But don't make unsubstantiated accusations and suggestions toward a fellow patriot again; it's in bad taste and reduces your intellect to a blind fanboy. Peace.
Absolutely agree and I totally get where
@Signalian was/is coming from; I feel the same way toward people who cleverly use social media platforms/forums such as these to spew venom against the Armed Forces, but if we can't even give examples of what we perceive as past/present strategic errors by the Top Brass (the point being that they
could make the same kind of errors in acquisitions as they have in other domains) without being labeled anti-State, then it's a sad day in deed. This is my last post addressing certain accusations, and then it's back on topic (SAMs!) --- thanks!
I think it's okay when people like us are criticizing the armed forces
because we have what's best for Pakistan in mind. It's not okay when people in PTM do the same, because they have some ulterior motive and essentially desire the break-up of Pakistan. I, too, have relatives and others in armed forces and I have heard of (1) corruption, (2) rot, and worst-case scenario, the (3)
sell-out of Pakistan's core interests to the West.
Before OBL-Raid, I was a staunch defender of the military and military-governments like Musharraf, etc. Much of No # 3 that I listed above, started during Musharraf's era. It climaxed when the OBL-Raid happened in Abbottabad. That confirmed everything for me and opened my eyes to what these people running the military were doing. There was a mole-network selling Pakistan out to the West.
For those defending military higher-ups, please ask yourselves,
how much longer are you going to keep defending them? Wasn't 1971 War, Fall of East Pakistan, Siachen, Kargil War, WoT with 70,000 dead, violent groups running a muck in Pakistan, enough to open your eyes? People talk about East Pakistan lightly. Which I have to repeatedly remind was majority of your population and half your wing. How often does a country lost half its territory in a war? Please read up the biographies on the Indian army soldiers who have written about the 1971 war, the stories about failures & mistakes made by Pakistan army high-command are plentiful. Look up Operation Trident & Python and how it brought massive loss to Pakistan in 1971 war.
Why does every other country like US, Indian or even
Iran & Afghanistan threaten to attack Pakistan, a nuclear power? Whereas, other countries like US think twice before attacking Iran, a much weaker country? Why is it that Pakistan is engulfed in separatist movements, rebellions, chaos when Iran, despite having no shortage of hostile foreign intelligence-agencies is a lot more peaceful & stable? Please ask yourselves these questions.
Armies are hired and paid to fight &
win wars, not lose and be runner-up.
There are no runner-ups in love & war. Top brass has consistently made costly mistakes, blunders, errors and the
troops fighting on the front lines have had to pay the price with their lives. Some of the only reasons why Pakistan has survived until now is because it is lucky to have a foe as pathetic as the Indian military.
People mock the India here for its humiliation in February. The thing I liked about them is that
Modi at least had the balls to sack the IAF Western Command officers. What happens if top brass in Pakistan lose wars and territory? They get full military honors, lol.
My point is that top brass should be applauded if they do well and they should be criticized if they do poorly. No one should tolerate mediocrity under the guise of patriotism. I think armed forces need massive reform & restructuring to be able to fight wars in the modern era. More importantly, I think armed forces need to change their war-fighting doctrine & strategy for India.