In pursuit of its quest for transformation, the Indian military took an important step by organising a tri-services seminar, Ran Samwad-2025, on 26-27 August....
Standing committee has urged focus on procurement of state-of-the-art equipment & keeping Army expenditure ‘in proportion to increase in defence spending of our neighbours’.
Army is pursuing 45 niche technologies identified for military application & 120 indigenous projects are underway to develop & absorb these niche technologies, Gen Pande says.
Rather than working in silos, the Army and the govt must look at the fastest way possible to realise Field Artillery Rationalisation Programme, designed in 1999.
Current constraints, including a 9.5% fiscal deficit, make it tough for the Modi govt to give states more sectoral funds beyond the 41% share recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
The 15th Finance Commission has recommended a Rs 2.38 lakh crore non-lapsable fund for modernisation in 2021-26. But the overall defence budget in FY22 is up only 1.5%.
Forces cite ongoing LAC standoff with China to point out the desperate need for defence modernisation. But experts say not much room for significant jump.
Nick Jonas is not trying to modernise the mangalsutra, but his gesture shows that choices can be equal. If commitment must be flaunted, it need not be gendered.
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