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Summary The defence budget has to be enhanced to deal with the new challenges, said Antony.
India is looking to boost its defence budget in wake of deepening military ties between Pakistan and China, Indian media reported.Indian Defence Minister AK Antony on Tuesday told Rajya Sabha he would seek a hike in the around $39 billion defence outlay in the 2012-13 budget due to new ground realities and the changing security scenario.The growing proximity of China and Pakistan is a cause of worry...I know the gravity of the situation. We have to take a second look at the defence budget in light of the changing threat perceptions, he said.India’s armed forces had sought a defence outlay of Rs 2,39,123 crore this fiscal that would have amounted to 2.35% of the projected GDP for 2012-13, but ultimately got only Rs 1,93,408 crore to notch up 1.9%.Now, after army chief Gen VK Singhs warning about critical hollowness in the Armys operational capabilities to deal with two neighbours, the government is doing a serious rethink.
