Indian Homeland Security News and Updates

India pours US$32 billion into defence budget.

NEW DELHI: India pumped in a hefty US$32 billion (RM112 billion) for defence spending under its new 2010-2011 budget.

India, Asia's third largest economy, allocated about 2.4 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for military modernisation, largely to counter the constant security threats within the country and along its borders.

"Secure borders and security of life and property fosters development. Needless to say, any additional requirement for the security of the nation will be provided for," Pranab Mukherjee, India's finance minister said while tabling the budget in parliament yesterday.

India, the fourth largest military force in the world, is busy upgrading its defence capabilities, developing its homegrown missile technology, building hi-tech weaponry systems and procuring new fighter jets.

The country's premier space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), also received a plum sum of about US$1 billion (RM3.5 billion) in allocation under the new budget.

Under the plan, nearly US$100 million (RM350 million) would be spent to build two rockets, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

With additional injection of funds, ISRO is expected to speed up India's robust space prorgamme that is planning the first moon mission and human space flight project. -- BERNAMA