Indian Navy wishes to be “world class” with 200 ships, 500 aircraft — but lacks funding

• India has 295 assets and is the seventh most powerful navy in the world.
• Indian Navy Chief wants to turn India “world-class” with 200 ships and 500 aircraft by 2050. They requested for at least $5.2 billion but was allocated only $2.9 billion.
• However, India spends only 15% of its total military expenditure on navy.

Indian Navy has come a long way since 1972 — when it celebrated its first Navy day on December 4. It was organized to commemorate Operation Trident against Pakistan in the 1971 war.

Seventh most powerful navy in the world

Today, India has 295 assets and is the seventh most powerful navy in the world. North Korea leads the pack with 967 assets, followed by China which owns 714 and the US has 415.

But even with limited assets, India is closely guarding its seas and spotted when Chinese Navy venturing into it, in December 2018.

The Navy plans to procure 41 ships and have three aircraft carriers in the long run, said Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh on November 3. But there’s a problem — budget. At the current budget, Indian Navy barely able to survive.

India spends only 15% of its total military expenditure on Navy

The Navy's annual budget allocation has come down from 18% to 13% in the last five years, said former Navy Chief Admiral Lanba.In 2017-2018, India allocated 15% of its total military expenditure to the Navy — half of what developed countries like the US, spends.

The United States spend nearly 30% while Australia and Japan spends close to 25%. It is unclear how much China spends on the military but reportedly it’s military budget is thrice that of India’s.

Not only this, Indian Navy’s budget is the lowest among the three military forces. In 2019-2020 government allocated ₹23,156 crore, landing a big blow to its ambitious plan to be amongst the best in the world. The Air Force was allocated ₹39,302 crore while the Army was allocated ₹29,461.25 crore.

A world-class army

Indian Navy Chief wants to turn India “world-class” with 200 ships and 500 aircraft by 2050. They requested for at least $5.2 billion but was allocated only $2.9 billion.

Due to limited funding, the future of many ambitious plans remain hanging. As a result, there is a delay in launching Vikrant — a majestic aircraft carrier. It has already reduced the number of ships required to 175 from 200.

In December 2018, the Navy also laid out plans to induct 56 ships and six submarines but may find it difficult to start construction — again due to low budget allocation.