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.
