Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the unprecedented allocation of Rs 6,21,940.85 crore to the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2024-25, representing 12.9% of the total government budget.
Rajnath Singh: Strengthening Armed Forces Capabilities
Singh highlighted the capital outlay of Rs 1,72,000 crore, which will significantly enhance the capabilities of the armed forces. Additionally, he emphasized the earmarking of Rs 1,05,518.43 crore for domestic capital procurement, providing a substantial boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Boosting Border Infrastructure
The Defence Minister also praised the 30% increase in allocation for Border Roads under the capital head, amounting to Rs 6,500 crore. This funding will accelerate the development of border infrastructure, ensuring better connectivity and security.
Supporting Defence Startups
To foster innovation in defence, Rs 518 crore has been allocated to the iDEX scheme, which funds technological solutions proposed by startups, MSMEs, and innovators. This move aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem within the defence sector.
Rajnath Singh’s remarks underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing national security, self-reliance in defence production, and promoting technological innovation.
