Bengaluru, Feb. 9: With “violent disturbances” in the neighbourhood posing a security challenge to the country, government on Wednesday vowed to rapidly modernise the armed forces and said the defence expenditure was bound to go up in the coming decades.
Inaugurating South Asia’s biggest air show Aero India 2011 at Yelahanka Air Force Station here, the defence minister, Mr A.K. Antony, said the IAF’s $11-billion Medium-Multirole Aircraft (M-MRCA) deal comprising 126 planes was likely to finalised in the next fiscal.
“India has always been a votary of peace. Yet, violent disturbances in our immediate and extended neighbourhood pose security challenges for our nation and the region as a whole,” Mr Antony said.
The minister said India’s democratic credentials and a fast growing economy have convinced the world that it can play a responsible and a stabilising role in the region.
“Our government is steadfast in its resolve to meet any challenge. We are, therefore, committed to ensure rapid modernisation of our armed forces and equip them with state-of-the-art systems, equipment and platforms,” the minister said.