Thursday, July 12, 2012

Army seeks Rs 10 lakh crore for modernization in next 5 years

Facing severe “hollowness” in its military preparation, the Indian Army has projected a requirement of Rs. 10 lakh crore for modernization under the 12th defence five year plan beginning 2012.
Major procurements of the Indian Army have been in limbo for years now owing to sluggish defence procedures adversely impacting the fighting capabilities of the force. Ammunition, aviation, air defence, night vision devices and artillery remain critical areas.

According to sources, the projected requirement will be met over a span of five budgets. The New Army Chief General Bikram Singh had already made it clear that modernization will remain his top priority and the projection was given before the beginning of his Nepal visit.

The proposal will have to get a nod from the Finance Ministry and the prevailing economic conditions will make it a herculean task. Sources indicate that the Finance Ministry is likely to allocate scaled down budgets. Out of the total defence budget of Rs 1.93 lakh crore for the financial year of 2012-13 the Indian Army has got Rs. 96, 564 crore, only a meager 24 percent of it – Rs. 13,803 crores - will be spent in buying new weapons and platforms. Defence Minister AK Antony had assured to seek an additional budget of Rs. 50,000 crore for the current financial year. But the plan has now been put on hold due to the sluggish economic growth of the country.


The Indian Army has been planning to raise two mountain strike divisions to be deployed along Indo-China border in the North-East that alone is estimated to cost around Rs. 60,000 crore and complete the infrastructure development in the Eastern Army Command that will cost the Army’s coffers around Rs.10,000 crore. The Indian Army has also envisaged spending close to Rs. 40,000 crore for equipping its mechanized infantry and tanks with night fighting capabilities.

Moreover, the Army wants to have a squadron each of attack/armed, reconnaissance and tactical battle-support helicopters for each of its 13 Corps and the three strike corps headquartered at Mathura, Ambala and Bhopal will get more air assets.

2 comments:

  1. THE ARMYS 10 LAKH CRORE PLAN IS COCEPTUALISED WITH A
    1940 MINDSET .THE TAXPAYER CANNOT SUPPORT THIS
    MONEY SWINDLING MODERNISATION. FROM POSITIONAL TO MANOEUVRE WARFARE BASED ON SPEED AIRLIFT HEPTRS
    AND ARMOUR THE ARMY MUST MOVE INTO 21ST CENTURY
    AND NOT REMAIN ENAMOURED AND SENTIMENTALABOUT THE PAST. SHORT RANGE AA GUNS ARE OBSLETE,TOWED ARTILLARY
    WOULD BE PLASTERED IN AWAR AND LOGISTICS NEEDS TO BE REVOLUTIONISED . THE INFANTRY SOLDERS SHOES, KIT AND CLOTHING HAS NOT CHANGED . THE TOY RIFLES NEED TO BE DISCARDED EARLIAST

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  2. polticans and babus have to find money for education health sanitation power housing infrastructure ,medical women child welfare , drought , roads railways and then perhaps the defence forces . growyh rate has fallen to below 5percent, taxes cannot be raised. subsidies on diseal gas kerosene are everincresing . the threat no doubt is there
    army should not expect such massive funding. from manpower based. it must move to equipment based ops and shed the burden of permanent commisions both for officer and men .
    to start with a three to 5 yrs SS for any one who looks for a govt job in any field both at centre and stateswould quickly within 5 yrs should increse the ratio of short service and increase in reserves

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