India’s defense spending has been less than 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in the past five years, according to data provided by the government to a parliamentary panel. According to CNN-News18, according to a report of the Standing Committee on Defence, expenditure declined to 0.083% in 2020-21 from 0.088% in 2016-17.
The report on the Demands for Grants of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. “In comparison to defended funding in countries such as the US, Russia and China, our defense (R&D) spending is very low,” the panel said in the report.
It said, “As per published data, India is funding 6% of the defense budget on defense research and development, while the US and China spend about 12% and 20% respectively on defense (R&D) compared to their defense budgets. are.”
It further said that a vibrant economy is possible only when saving and spending go hand in hand. “It is as important to spend taxpayer money wisely, if not more, than to save to stimulate increased defense (R&D) capacity,” it added.
the growing danger
The panel also said that in view of the current international scenario, where there is a growing threat perception due to ongoing conflicts across the world, it is important to keep national security interest at the fore.
It recommended that adequate funds should be provided for defense research, so that strategic projects can be taken up in full force. The panel also noted that there was a shortfall of Rs 1,659.80 crore in the budget of DRDO for 2022-23, which would compromise operational requirements and research and development.
The committee said that DRDO should seek additional funding in the revised estimates and supplementary phase to ensure progress of its research and development plans as per the stipulated time frame.
The panel also noted that the budget of DRDO remains 5%-6% of the total defense budget. According to the data available in the report, DRDO had estimated Rs 2,3460.44 crore in 2021-22, but the final budgetary allocation was Rs 18,227.44 crore, lower than Rs 5,122.56 crore. It said that for 2022-23 also there was a shortfall of Rs 1,659.80 crore in the budget of DRDO.
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