Bofors fully transferred tech to India in 80s, I even proposed made-in-India guns to Cong govt, but...: Baba Kalyani's explosive reveal

Time of India

a day ago

India imported 400 Bofors guns from Sweden in the 1980s under the Congress regime, claimed
Bharat Forge
Chairman
Baba Kalyani
.
Kalyani, who made the observations during an interview, said that along with the guns, India also received the complete technology transfer from the Swedish firm in the 1980s; however, this was never utilized to establish indigenous artillery gun manufacturing.
Separately, he revealed that in 2011, he personally approached then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister AK Antony to pitch domestically produced howitzer guns, but his proposals were met with, in his own words, a cold response.
Reflecting on the origins of his interest in artillery manufacturing and the Bofors legacy, Kalyani said, 'What really got me excited was the connection between metallurgy and artillery guns. I still remember in the 80s, when the Bofors technology came in, it really was a transfer of technology of something which, if India has, is metallurgical strength, and that's what got me excited.'
When Swedish firm Bofors tranferred its tech to India
Despite the comprehensive technology transfer that accompanied the Bofors deal, Kalyani highlighted the exclusion of the private sector from defense manufacturing during that era. 'I still remember in the 80s, Sweden literally gave the total artillery technology package on a platter, but unfortunately, at that time, the private sector was locked out from defense manufacturing,' he lamented.
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Years later, Kalyani faced further hurdles in promoting indigenous defense technology. 'We showcased this gun in 2012, and I can tell you, the kind of, you know, skepticism that came out, it was as if, you know, we didn't exist,' he said, underscoring the prevailing reluctance to embrace homegrown innovation. This challenge was separate from the Bofors era, but continued to hinder domestic manufacturing.
Recounting his efforts in 2011, he added, 'And literally, if I look at it, they kept on going back and buying stuff from outside, and I remember meeting every prime minister, every defense minister, and it was like a blank wall,' Kalyani explained, describing the perceived lack of support for indigenous efforts, even well after the
Bofors scandal
.
'Made-in-India a game changer'
Adding to the frustration, Kalyani pointed out the cost-effectiveness of manufacturing within India. 'I was much cheaper than buying it from outside, so I used to keep wondering what is wrong with us, you know,' he stated, highlighting the missed economic opportunity.
However, Kalyani expressed optimism about the shift in approach under the current government. 'I think the whole dream has come alive in this government,' he said, referring to the Modi administration's push for local manufacturing and self-reliance in defense.
According to Kalyani, the "Make in India" initiative has been a game-changer. "So in December '14, when we had this Make in India conclave, that's where the real revolution started," he emphasized, noting its transformative impact on the sector.
He also credited Manohar Parrikar, former Defence Minister, for bringing about crucial policy changes that opened the sector to private players. "I think the biggest change that happened was
Manohar Parrikar
came in, and the first thing he did was unleashed what is called the DPP 2016, where he opened it up to the private sector," Kalyani stated.
The Bofors Scandal
The Bofors scandal remains a prominent chapter in India's political history.
The $1.4 billion deal to acquire 410 field howitzers from Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors in 1986 became embroiled in allegations of bribery and corruption, casting a shadow over defense procurements for years to come.
While the technology transfer was part of the agreement, India's indigenous artillery manufacturing remained largely dependent on imports and public sector units for decades, per Kalyani's account.