Impact of a weak defence budget (English Version) Rakshak News 06 Feb 18
Military power determines the standing of a nation in the international domain. A strong military is always respected and nations flock to engage with it. The other elements of power, economic and diplomatic, are only effective if backed by resolute military power. All nations who presently have a strong international standing possess strong militaries. A weak military would never be able to ensure security of a nation’s institutions and its people.
In South Asia, Indian institutions are secure due to which the world seeks to invest in India, partner its military and the nation continues to draw international respect. Other countries in the region do not possess the same level of institutional security hence lag in development and have not attained economic growth as India has.
As India grows in economic power, it would face challenges from its competitors, mainly China in the region. Chinese assertiveness would therefore continue being on the increase. It is constructing bases at multiple locations surrounding India, seeking to complete its string of pearls. Standoffs are on the rise and China would consider India’s growing proximity to the ASEAN and its involvement in the Quad with the US, Japan and Australia as a threat. Nations across the globe expect India to be a counter-balance to China, hence even Trump termed the region as the Indo-Pacific.
Pakistan remains internally unstable. The military has no plans of talking and resolving issues. Its policy of activating the LoC and pushing in militants would continue. To limit its scope of launching terror strikes deep within India, compelling it to restrict its activities to J and K, a strong conventional edge over them is essential. This automatically threatens them with a possible Indian strike, calling their nuclear bluff.
Internationally, nations are flocking to India seeking military and security cooperation, alongside economic investment. India is being considered a net security provider in the larger Asian region. Indian voice in the international arena is being heard because of its strong economic base and powerful armed forces. Therefore, maintaining continuous military modernization and upgradation is essential if the nation desires to grow and be accepted as a world power.
The present budget has pushed military modernization behind. The allocation, though a modest increase of 7.81% over the last year, is the lowest in terms of its share of the GDP (1.58%) since the 1962 war. When Trump was demanding for NATO nations to enhance their defence expenditure, he was talking of them devoting 2% of their GDP. Ideally, the military has always demanded 2.5, but any figure beyond 2% should have been the minimum which should have been considered.
Another skewed part of the budget has been increased share of revenue versus capital. While revenue is to maintain ‘forces in being’ capital is to enhance capabilities and capacities of the forces, or to create the ‘force of the future’. The capital share of just under 100,000 Crores is almost half of the revenue. Out of the amount allocated for capital expenditure, around 80% is for payment of outstanding liabilities (purchases made earlier and payments pending), thus leaving limited for new acquisitions.
Many economists and commentators, sitting in the safety and security of Lutyens Delhi, have claimed that the government has done correct as an enhanced budget would imply purchase of more military equipment, which may not be employed. A lopsided view, since unless the military has the equipment and ability to deter adversaries, the nation would always remain under threat. Nuclear power and missiles may act as a deterrent, but conventional might is equally essential.
In the battle for development and social security versus military might, the finance minister is compelled to strike a balance. This balance may be more towards social security especially in an election year. However, ignoring national security, when threats are rising by the day is placing the nation at risk.
Each of the three services are crying for modernization and procuring equipment essential for the conduct of their tasks in war. With this limited amount, it is most likely that the army would bear the brunt on its modernization plans, as the need for enhancing naval and air power is on the rise. The finance minister must re-visit the budget and reconsider his proposals, if he as part of the government desires to guarantee national security, which is their primary responsibility.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army