This is a period-specific study extending from 1986
to 1999. The year 1986 was selected because that year
India conducted two military exercises Operation
Brasstacks on the western border and Operation
Chequerboard on the Himalayan heights. Pakistan
misread the first operation and both countries were
on the verge of another war. On the eastern front
India had to face China s military power projection
when Chinese forces intruded into the Sumdurong Chu
valley, compelling India to deploy her mountain
division on the Sikkim heights. However, the
situations were contained, without needless
sabre-rattling. Thus, the emanating threat
perceptions made it imperative for India to enhance
its defence expenditure and capital investment.
Reality was contrary to prevailing perceptions. The
Book establishes that aggravation of military threats
to the security of a nation does not necessarily
result in increased expenditure on arms purchase by
that country; to reverse the same proposition, a
decline in expenditure on arms purchase by a country
does not necessarily mean an attenuation of the
existing military threats perceived by that country.
to 1999. The year 1986 was selected because that year
India conducted two military exercises Operation
Brasstacks on the western border and Operation
Chequerboard on the Himalayan heights. Pakistan
misread the first operation and both countries were
on the verge of another war. On the eastern front
India had to face China s military power projection
when Chinese forces intruded into the Sumdurong Chu
valley, compelling India to deploy her mountain
division on the Sikkim heights. However, the
situations were contained, without needless
sabre-rattling. Thus, the emanating threat
perceptions made it imperative for India to enhance
its defence expenditure and capital investment.
Reality was contrary to prevailing perceptions. The
Book establishes that aggravation of military threats
to the security of a nation does not necessarily
result in increased expenditure on arms purchase by
that country; to reverse the same proposition, a
decline in expenditure on arms purchase by a country
does not necessarily mean an attenuation of the
existing military threats perceived by that country.