China increases defence budget by 7.2% to accelerate military modernisation; Here's how India's preparedness holds up
China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defence budget, crossing $230 billion, exceeding three times India's military expenditure. This rise comes despite a slowdown in China's economic growth and its refusal to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.
Strategic Intent and Military Modernisation
China's two-million-strong armed forces are rapidly modernizing to deter the US from interference, especially in Taiwan. Recent moves include strengthening conventional military and nuclear forces and strategic moves in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including a military assistance pact with the Maldives.
“China continues to strengthen its conventional military and nuclear forces as well as its strategic moves in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), with the latest instance being the free military assistance pact with the Maldives on Monday,” a top military officer said in a TOI report.
Ongoing Military Confrontations and Deployments
In eastern Ladakh, China continues to deploy 50,000 to 60,000 troops in the western and central sectors of the LAC and 90,000 soldiers in the east. Air bases facing India, like Hotan, Kashgar, Gargunsa, Shigatse, Hoping, Lingzhi and Lhasa-Gonggar have seen upgrades with additional fighters, bombers, and AWACS systems, indicating a long-term commitment.
“They are not going to go back. Additional runways, hardened shelters and fuel dumps have all come up,” a senior IAF officer said in the previously mentioned TOI report.
India's Challenges and defence
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