Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK: New Delhi, 23 july: In a significant move to bolster national security, the Indian government has allocated ₹6.21 lakh crore for defence in the 2024 budget. This substantial allocation marks a critical step in enhancing the country's military capabilities and preparedness.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the budget, emphasizing the importance of modernizing India's armed forces. "This budget reflects our commitment to maintaining national security and sovereignty," Singh stated. He highlighted that the funds would be directed towards procuring advanced weaponry, upgrading existing equipment, and improving infrastructure to ensure that the armed forces remain at the cutting edge of technology.

The budget increase comes amid rising regional tensions and the need for India to maintain a robust defence posture. Singh also mentioned that part of the allocation would focus on research and development to foster indigenous defence production, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.

Experts believe this budget will significantly impact India's strategic capabilities, enabling the military to address contemporary threats more effectively. The allocation also underscores the government's focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing, aligning with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

Overall, the ₹6.21 lakh crore defence budget is a pivotal move to secure India's borders and reinforce its position as a formidable military power in the region.

In a statement on X (formally Twitter), defence minister Rajnath Singh thanked Nirmala Sitharaman for giving the “highest allocation”, which is 12.9 per cent of the total Budget for the financial year 2024-25. "The capital outlay of ₹1,72,000 Crore will further strengthen the capabilities of Armed Forces.