OT, but not sure where else to answer this.ShauryaT wrote: IOW: India gets to be a free rider (minimal sweat and blood on national defense - like Japan and by definition, not a nation that can wield its sovereignty in any meaningful way, banish all thoughts of being a great independent power. India will focus on economic power primarily - but even that only in collaboration with the west and strategic power will be forsaken, say for at least 50 years. Not condoning or condemning but asking, would such a formulation be acceptable to you?
A higher budgetary allocation doesnt mean utilization, earlier arrangement was like nudge wink affair of finmil adultery between indian government. Quite a bit like the cost savings by AAP govt in Delhi.
Based on increased spending powers to forces and emergency purchases, I think the govt is focussing on first utilizing the allocated portions and stop the bloated allocations. This is also because no govt would want to step on a bofors like landmine and the second easiest way is follow the loops and hurdles in procurement policies (first being the one used by AKA)