In my opinion.... It was 80s , when Indian military was comparatively at strongest position comparing with Pakistan and China
1980s and early 90s was the time when we were highly vulnerable vis-a-vis both Shitistan and China. Although, a lot of new developments were initiated at that time- IGMDP started in 1983, LCA was conceived (though no development happened for the next decade), we inducted Mirage 2000s (without weapons!!), FH-77 155MM Howitzers (Bofors), Mig 29s and HDW submarines in response to these threats, but a poor economy and corruption meant that we nearly bankrupted ourselves in the process.
We were supposed to have 140 Mirage 2000s with license production, but ended up inducting only 40 odd, chiefly because of the stink raised over the financing of the deal by BCCI- Bank of Credit and Commerce International, the
Napaki run bank that was charged with money laundering and terror financing.
The deal was finally killed when Soviets offered Mig 29s (as the first export customer) on very favourable terms. What they didn't tell us was that Mig 29s would be little more than hangar queens for much of their time with us!! We were supposed to have 1400 Howitzers, but ended up getting only 400 because of the Bofors scandal.
Our economy was in shambles, Shitistani rupee was stronger than Indian rupee back then!!, Their per-capita GDP was higher!! They were flush with Western cash and weapons including F-16s armed with lethal AAMs. We were gripped by Khalistan terrorism on one hand and LTTE on the other, Kashmir had started boiling and Assam was already on the boil. Our chief benefactor the Soviets, were staring at the abyss themselves.
All these events culminated in the crisis ridden early 1990s and it was only Narasimha Rao's skill full guidance that brought us out of the abyss. Of course, this meant no significant military acquisitions for nearly half-a-decade and
his ministers ensured that much of the gains were frittered away in the last two years of his term.
