Does India's defense policy prioritize the pursuit of great power status over the pragmatic acquisition of national security at an affordable cost? Chris Smith, a researcher associated with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), utilizes historical records and industrial performance data to examine the trajectory of Indian defense strategy. The text argues that the nation's defense posture has historically suffered from a lack of coherent direction, resulting in an ad hoc approach to military development and procurement.

Experts recognize this monograph as a foundational text for understanding the early institutional development of India's military apparatus. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's critical stance on the disconnect between policy objectives and fiscal sustainability.