The cost of the US-India drone deal raises a question—could some portion of this amount could have been better spent on indigenously developing and producing smaller drones?
Defence budget is 2.09% of the GDP compared to 2.17% this fiscal. While both Army & the Navy failed to spend the full amount allocated to them, the IAF spent more than its allocation.
Increased allocations for defence should be seen through the prism of peace and development, with expenditure considered as an investment that yields handsome returns.
Armed forces will have to prioritise Indian entities when placing orders for procurement. Move will strengthen security grid & bolster economy, said defence minister Rajnath Singh.
Capital budget increased to Rs 1.62 lakh crore from 1.52 lakh crore. Navy, Army see substantial increase but allocation for procuring aircraft, aero engines goes down.
Private sector is also hoping for a high budgetary allocation for defence capital expenditure since it will translate into more acquisition programmes fructifying.
We're using quantity to compensate for quality, and India’s defence budget can't increase too much. Army has a chance to bring about long-term reforms.
China’s 2022 defence budget is over thrice the size of India’s spending. In 2021, China’s defence spending crossed $200 bn for the first time. This year, it’s up to $229.7 bn.
Many countries have announced defence budget hikes, with Germany ending decades-old freeze. But ambitions will have to be balanced with legacy of underspending, capacity issues.
With an educated & skilled workforce, Tamil Nadu has a burgeoning industrial sector which has scored massive investments in automobiles, electronics, and even footwear.
The ‘idea’ Kejriwal's politics grew around was a no-holds-barred fight against corruption. That is the reason Modi govt has now tarred him and his entire party with the same paint.
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