Context: According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report ‘Trends in World Military Expenditure 2024’, India’s military expenditure grew to $86.1 billion, nearly nine times that of Pakistan.
About SIPRI Report on Military Expenditure:
- Global Rank: India is 5th largest military spender in the world after the U.S., China, Russia, and Germany.
- Total Expenditure: $86.1 billion in 2024, a 1.6% increase over the previous year.
- Comparison with Pakistan: India’s spending was approximately 9 times higher than Pakistan’s $10.2 billion.
- Asia Context: China and India together contributed significantly to military spending growth in Asia and Oceania.
- Global Context: India is part of the top five spenders who collectively accounted for 60% of the global military expenditure.
Strategic Highlights:
- Domestic Procurement Focus: 75% of capital outlay earmarked for domestic defense production (22% of total military budget).
- Import Dependence: Still reliant on imports for advanced systems like combat aircraft and some critical technologies.
- Strategic Significance: Reinforces India’s positioning as a key player in Indo-Pacific security architecture amid rising regional tensions with China and Pakistan.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
- GS Paper 2 (International Relations):
- India’s defense capabilities and strategic relations with neighboring countries (Pakistan, China).
- GS Paper 3 (Security and Defense):
- Internal security challenges and preparedness of Indian defense forces.
- Defense budget, modernization of armed forces, defense reforms.
- Essay Paper:
- Themes related to national security, strategic autonomy, and global power shifts.
