Indian Navy Chief Admiral raised concerns about the shrinking budget

In the middle of a massive overhaul of its assets, the Indian Navy has been forced to make changes in its modernisation plans that have failed to keep pace due to a cash crunch after the government reduced the budget for the force in the last five years.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral raised concerns about the shrinking budget on Tuesday interacting with journalists.

"The Navy's share of the Defence Budget has declined from 18% in 2012 to approximately 13% in 2019-20," he said.

Navy got the lowest capital allocation in 2019-20. The Navy was allocated Rs 23,156.43 crore while the IAF got the highest amount of Rs 39,302.64 crore followed by the Army's share of Rs 29,461.25 crore.

"While we have projected our requirement to the Government, we remain committed to progress force modernisation, using the available resources optimally. In the face of shortages, the emphasis is on prioritisation, rationalisation and economy of expenditure, Admiral Singh said.

Sources said they have been requesting to bring the budget allocation to at least 16 per cent of the total defence budget if 18 per cent is not possible.

"Navy needs an additional allocation of around Rs 6,000 crore to make up for the shrinking budget," added the sources.

"We have given a proposal to the government with changes to our future plans keeping in mind the funds cut," said another senior officer.

Due to the fund crunch, the requirement of 200 ships has been brought down to 175 and construction of the third aircraft carrier is unlikely.

Currently, under construction are 50 ships and submarines enhancing the Navy’s fleet.

One of the biggest projects that the Navy is aiming to complete without further delays by 2022 is the construction of Vikrant.

Currently, the Navy has INS Vikramaditya, the only aircraft carrier operational with the Indian Navy.

The plan is to have three aircraft carriers so that at least two are always operational.

"The broad contours of the aircraft carrier are that it is to be constructed in India as a 65,000 tons Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) carrier with electric propulsion being formulated. The case will be processed for accord of acceptance of necessity," Admiral Singh said.

The Navy chief also mentioned that Development Organisation (DRDO) has offered to develop a new twin-engine deck based fighter based on the experience of the Naval Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and it should be ready by 2026.