China's Defence budget double of India's

Reflecting its fast-paced military buildup, China's Defence budget is more than double of the allocation by India for its Armed Forces.

Answering a question in the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister AK Antony said on Monday China spent USD 78.63 billion on its armed forces last year whereas India's defence budget for 2010-11 was USD 33.20 billion.

Asked if India would hike its defence budget in due to increased spending by the neighbouring countries, Antony said, "Budgetary provisions for Services are made on basis of an assessment of their requirement for force modernisation, development of critical combat capabilities and overall national policy."

"Keeping these factors in view, the allocation for defence services has been rising steadily from Rs 1,05,600 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 1,64, 415 crore (USD 37 billion) for 2011-12," he said.

In percentage terms, Pakistan's defence spending has increased by almost double in three years from 2008 to 2010.

In 2008, Pakistan spent USD 3.43 billion which rose to USD 6.40 billion in 2010.

Meanwhile, answering another query, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju said HAL has bagged an order to export seven ALH Dhruvs to Ecuador in global bidding.

"It is the process of setting up a regional maintenance centre to cover after sales services, technical and logistic support in the entire Latin region," he said.