Indian Military seeks Rs 80,000 crore funds to face Pakistan Military at land and sea borders
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NEW DELHI - Indian Military seeks Rs 80,000 crore funds to face Pakistan Military at land and sea borders, Indian media has reported.
The Indian Armed Forces want around Rs 80,000 crore more for modernisation, plugging critical operational gaps and paying 'committed liabilities' this financial year, amidst heightened tensions with Pakistan link along the land border and the Indian Ocean link Region, The Economic Times has reported.
Sources said the 13-lakh strong Army has projected an additional requirement of Rs 20,500 crore for capital expenditure, while the IAF has asked for around Rs 40,000 crore more.
The Navy needs about Rs 20,000 crore at the revised estimate stage in December.
The Armed Forces contend they do not even have enough for 'committed liabilities' in the shape of instalments for arms deals inked in earlier years, leave alone money for new modernisation projects.
The forces are grappling with critical shortages on several fronts, ranging from fighter jets, submarines and helicopters to modern infantry weapons, 155mm howitzers and ammunition.[image: ET Prime] link
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The overall defence outlay in the 2019-2020 budget was pegged at Rs 3.18 lakh crore, with Rs 2.10 lakh crore revenue expenditure for salaries and day-to-day running costs outstripping the Rs 1.08 lakh crore for capital expenditure by far.
