The News Freedom
New Delhi, February 9
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the critical shortage of ammunition and defence equipment during the UPA era, emphasizing the lack of bulletproof jackets and protective gear for soldiers, along with inadequate night vision goggles, leaving them vulnerable in darkness. Speaking during a discussion on the ‘White Paper’ on the Indian Economy in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman outlined significant developments in defence under the current government’s tenure.
Sitharaman noted a substantial increase in the defence budget over the past decade, rising from Rs 2.53 lakh crores in 2013-14 to Rs 6.22 lakh crores in 2024-25. She emphasized the augmentation of defence capital from Rs 86,741 crores to Rs 1.72 lakh crores, facilitating enhanced expenditure on equipment and infrastructure. Highlighting the establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Sitharaman also underscored the recent increase in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the defence sector to 74 percent from 49 percent.
Defence budget has more than doubled during the last 10 years. In 2013-14, it was Rs 2.53 lakh crores. Now it is Rs 6.22 lakh crores in 2024-25.
To ensure that defense forces step up capital expenditure and equipment investments, the defense capital has increased from Rs 86,741… pic.twitter.com/pRxnCrgkrF
— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) February 9, 2024
“It is a matter of pride that due to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, key defence assets such as INS Vikrant, LCA Tejas, Akash and BrahMos missiles, main battle tank Arjun, and artillery gun system Dhanush are now being domestically manufactured,” she said. “Today, women are actively involved in flying Rafale jets and safeguarding our borders,” she added.
Criticizing the previous administration’s neglect of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Sitharaman noted, “They used to question the fate of HAL, yet not a single contract was awarded to HAL during their tenure. HAL has the potential to generate business worth Rs 4 lakh crores, including the manufacture of several helicopters.”
Referring to the defence policy during the UPA regime, Sitharaman quoted former Defence Minister AK Antony, stating, “Independent India has adhered to a longstanding policy that underdeveloped borders are preferable to developed ones for defence. Consequently, there was a lack of construction of roads or airfields in border areas for many years.” She further highlighted Antony’s remark at a defence expo in 2014, where he stated, “There is no money left. All major projects have to wait till April 1.” This, Sitharaman asserted, exemplified the financial constraints and lack of prioritization of defence projects under the UPA government.
Quoting former Defence Minister AK Antony, Sitharaman underscored the historical neglect of defence infrastructure under the previous government’s policy of border underdevelopment. She further highlighted instances of corruption, such as the AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper Scam in 2013, and delays in procurement highlighted by the CAG in 2011, suggesting a compromised defence under the UPA regime.