Defence Budget Hiked by 13% With Thrust on Self-Reliance in Military Technology

New Delhi: Union Budget 2023-24 aims to help India become self-reliant in military equipment technology. Union Government increased the budgetary allocations for the modernisation of the military, infrastructure in the Himalayas and defence projects.

The budget for the Ministry of Defence, including the capital outlay meant for new weapons and projects, the salaries and expenses of the three armed forces, coast guard, DRDO, the Border Roads Organisation and pensions is Rs 5,93,537 crore.

It represents a Rs 68,371 crore or 13.01 per cent increase over the Rs 5,25,166 crore budget estimates of the present fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023.

The capital allocation for the IAF is Rs 57,132 crore of which Rs 15,721 crore are earmarked for aircraft and aero-engines. The Navy gets Rs 52,804 crore of which Rs 24,200 crore is for the naval fleet.

The Army gets Rs 37,231 crore as capital. These funds are for sourcing new weapons equipment planes, copters, tanks, guns, etc.

Capital Budget of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been increased. It will spend Rs 4500 crore in making bridges roads and tunnels in the Himalayas. Another Rs 5,000 crore will be spent by BRO from the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund for infrastructure in the Himalayas.

The Research and Development in Defence sector gets an allocation of Rs 12,850 crore. Out of it, around 25 per cent can be spent on startups and academia private industry. The private sector will be encouraged to take up the design and development of military platforms and equipment in collaboration with DRDO and other Defence organisations.