Defence Ministry is under-utilising funds in modernisation projects for Armed Forces

Defence ministry was granted funds for several projects and overhaul of the armed forces has not been able to utilise it fully.

As per the data from the defence ministry, it has not been able to use funds for development of military systems by the private sector and research by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

As per reports, not a single penny was spent till October on prototype development and assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises for Technology Development. For these, around Rs 144 crore were allocated.

However, Air Force has still a better job as it used around 54% of the capital budget of Rs 33,657 crore allocated for purchasing equipment and weapon systems.

Meanwhile, the Navy and Army have spent one-third of their modernisation funds.

As per the defence ministry data, till October, the Army has spent only 35% of its Rs 27,227 cr budget and the Navy has utilised only 31% of its Rs 25,000 crore capital budget.

The DRDO has spent 24% of the Rs 869 crore budget on R&D.