Though the finance minister has announced a 10 per cent increase in the defence budget this year, the allocation is just a little below two per cent of the nation’s GDP. In terms of percentage of GDP that our neighbours are spending, we are not even at half their levels.

So how much should be allocated for defence? Do we have a rationale? Or are defence budgets just a ritual sans clear objectives?

The pattern followed over the last two decades seems to suggest that defence spending is without direction. The method apparently is to take the previous year’s allocation, allow for inflation and maybe add/subtract a little depending on the whimsical math the finance ministry undertakes to finally close figures. Curiously, this has nothing to do with the manifesto of the party in power.

The Kargil war did lead to the much-needed introspection on matters of national security. Some very sound recommendations were made. Regrettably, we have floundered in their execution. Drift has settled in again.

Defence budgets ought to be aimed at developing defined capabilities within specific time lines. The capabilities desired have to be derived from an assessment of possible threats as also the requirement of securing the national interest. For example, we have border issues with Pakistan and China that mandate capabilities to defend our territories. Concurrently, we must always remain poised to protect and dominate our sea lanes of communication. Besides, we must be able to combat terrorism, fight militancy and also be prepared to, if required, aid state governments to quell Naxal movements. We must have ‘on call’ forces that can be projected to protect our emerging interests beyond our borders.

... contd.