Overview

• He rejected claims that military outlays divert funds from welfare, saying national security is the government’s foremost responsibility and cannot be outsourced.
• He argued that preparedness serves as deterrence, contending that unlike conventional insurance that pays after a crisis, strong defence aims to prevent war and exploitation by adversaries.
• As an illustration, he cited Ukraine, noting the World Bank’s estimate of about $400 billion for reconstruction within a year of Russia’s 2022 invasion and asserting that earlier investment might have reduced the devastation.
• He said defence expenditure circulates through the economy by creating jobs, supporting industry and fostering innovation.
• The Union Budget for FY 2025–26 allocates ₹6,81,210.27 crore to the Ministry of Defence, a 9.53% increase that accounts for 13.45% of total spending and the largest share for any ministry.