Military Modernisation To Get A Booster Shot: Government Working On $130 Billon Plan For All Three Forces

With global geopolitics becoming increasingly unpredictable, the Indian government is firming up to a $130 billion plan to modernise the armed forces which will be executed within the next five to seven years, PTI reports.

While the plan will encompass all the three forces, infantry modernisation has been prioritised with a plan to induct 2,600 infantry combat vehicles and 1,700 future ready combat vehicles on the anvil.

Apart from offensive capabilities, the government also plans to operationalise air defences over almost all major cities. This will reportedly make the airspace above the cities virtually impregnable.

For the Navy, the plan is to acquire 220 ships, 500 jets and 24 attack submarines over the next 3-4 years to augment the 132 ship and 15 submarine fleet with 220 aircraft. The IAF’s fighting capability, is also to be augmented given the ‘two-front’ war scenario which necessitates a 42-squadron force.

The government is envisioning a major role to be played by the domestic defence manufacturing sector to meet the coming demand.