India's US$8.7 billion defence splurge sparks calls for clarity
India shores up military upgrades with a 670 billion rupee (US$8.7 billion) defence package after its
clash with Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, observers say New Delhi should be more transparent in its scope of foreign-bought equipment amid a push for self-reliance.
The latest security splurge was approved on August 5 by the Defence Acquisition Council, under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aimed at delivering defence equipment across the army, navy and air force.
The package will come under the country's total defence budget of US$78.7 billion for the coming financial year, approved in February by parliament and hailed by Singh as signalling India's pursuit to be 'technologically-advanced' and self-reliant.
The latest modernisation proposals include the procurement of 87 armed heavy-duty drones and more than 110 air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
The defence ministry has approved the procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three services, on top of the maintenance of India's C-17 and C-130J fleets and its S-400 long-range air defence missile system.
A senior Indian official told local press on August 5 that the need for such an arsenal boost 'was acutely felt for the three services during Operation Sindoor'.
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