China Boosts Military Budget by 7.2%: How Does India Measure Up?

China's defence budget has seen a 7.2% surge, surpassing $230 billion and tripling India's military spending, amidst economic slowdown and persistent tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The strategic focus remains on modernising the two million-strong Armed Forces to deter US interference. Recent initiatives include reinforcing conventional and nuclear forces and strategic maneuvers in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), such as a military assistance pact with the Maldives.

According to a top military officer, ‘China continues to strengthen its conventional military and nuclear forces as well as its strategic moves in the Indian Ocean Region, with the latest instance being the free military assistance pact with the Maldives on Monday.’

China maintains a substantial military presence in eastern Ladakh, deploying 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the western and central sectors of the Line of Actual Control and 90,000 soldiers in the eastern region. Upgrades observed at key air bases, including Hotan, Kashgar, Gargunsa, Shigatse, Hoping, Lingzhi, and Lhasa-Gonggar, involve the addition of fighters, bombers, and Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACSs), signalling a sustained and enduring commitment.

A senior IAF officer stated, ‘They are not going to go back. Additional runways, hardened shelters and fuel dumps have all come up.’

India grapples with substantial challenges in matching China's military capabilities, primarily stemming from budget constraints and operational shortcomings. Despite a sizable defence budget, only 28% is directed towards military modernisation, leading to critical operational deficiencies in areas like fighters, submarines, helicopters, and air defence weapons.

A significant impediment to India's military prowess lies in the absence of concrete long-term plans. The delay in establishing integrated war-fighting machinery, such as theatre commands, hampers India's ability to seamlessly coordinate military operations. In contrast, China adopts a more streamlined approach, exemplified by the Western Theater Command efficiently managing the entire LAC.

India encounters deficiencies in missile capabilities, notably in the realm of long-range conventional missiles crucial for precision targeting. Moreover, challenges persist in fields like space and cyber warfare, areas where China has achieved notable advancements.

The realm of naval modernisation also reflects a lag in India's capabilities. Projects for a third aircraft carrier and nuclear-powered attack submarines, long overdue for approval, remain pending. This delay is notable at a time when China has actively expanded its naval presence and logistical facilities in the IOR.

Against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, India's imperative to modernise its Armed Forces becomes increasingly crucial. Addressing these challenges stands as a pivotal task for India to uphold a robust defense posture and effectively counter emerging threats.