Union Budget 2011: Significant hike in budgetary allocation for defense; Multi-billion dollar helicopter acquisition programme for the Indian armed forces
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    • The Union Budget 2011-12, presented in Parliament on February 28, 2011 has increased the defense budget by almost 12 percent to Rs 1.64 lakh crores for fiscal 2011-12, keeping a balance between fiscal prudence and India's strategic imperatives. Reports noted that the increase should provide a boost to the ongoing military modernization programme. The hike of 12% in defense budgetary allocations, compared to 4% last year, emphasizes New Delhi's two-pronged strategic approach, a more secure northern border, which it shares with China and Pakistan, and a greater presence in the Indian Ocean. 1

    However, in a major development the Indian Armed Forces plan to induct more than 1,000 indigenous and foreign helicopters for attack, transport and utility operations by 2020. The acquisition is significant in light of the fact, that India is more likely to face internal security challenges rather than external security risks, in the foreseeable future, coupled with the fact that there are more prospects of India engaging in a mini-war than in a mega-war. In such scenario the role and intensity of helicopters operations will increase manifold. 2

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