India was the top arms importer in 2019-2023 (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- India was the top arms importer in the world in the period 2019-23, with imports having gone up by 4.7% compared with the period 2014-18, according to Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- At the same time, arms imports by European countries increased by 94% between 2014-18 and 2019-23, the report said, which comes against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
Importers:
- Although Russia remained India’s main arms supplier accounting for 36% of its arms imports, this was the first five-year period since 1960-64 when deliveries from Russia or the Soviet Union prior to 1991 made up less than half of India’s arms imports.
- Nine of the 10 biggest arms importers in 2019-23, including the top three of India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, were in Asia and Oceania or the West Asia.
- Ukraine became the fourth biggest arms importer after it received transfers of major arms in 2022-23.
Budget Allocation:
- In the interim Budget presented in February for financial year 2024-25, the total allocation for the Defence Ministry was ₹6.2 lakh crore, of which the capital allocation for new procurements was ₹1.72 lakh crore, 5.78% higher than the Budget Estimates of 2023.
- India seems to have come back to the top slot in arms imports after briefly ceding space to Saudi Arabia in the past.
Global scenario:
- Imports of Pakistan, the fifth largest arms importer in 2019-23, went up by 43%, with China supplying as much as 82% of all its arms imports.
- Arms exports by the world’s largest supplier, the U.S., grew by 17% between 2014-18 and 2019-23, while those by Russia fell by more than half. France emerged as the world’s second largest arms supplier as its exports grew by 47%.
- Over half of arms imports by European countries, 55%, in 2019-23 were from the U.S., up from 35% in 2014-18. Europe is responsible for about a third of global arms exports, including large volumes going outside the region, reflecting Europe’s strong military-industrial capacity.
France:
- On France, which is now the second largest arms supplier, the report said 42% of its arms went to states in Asia and Oceania, and 34% to West Asia.
- The largest single recipient of French arms exports was India, which accounted for nearly 30%. The increase in French arms exports was largely due to deliveries of combat aircraft to India, Qatar and Egypt.
Way Forward:
- With many high-value arms on order including nearly 800 combat aircraft and combat helicopters European arms imports are likely to remain at a high level.
Ministry of Heavy Industries announces Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- The Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024) scheme is being introduced by Ministry of Heavy Industries, with the approval of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance to further accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country.
- This is a fund limited scheme with a total outlay of Rs. 500 crore for the period of 4 months, w.e.f. 1st April 2024 till 31st July 2024, for faster adoption of electric two-wheeler (e-2W) and three-wheeler (e-3W) to provide further impetus to the green mobility and development of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing eco-system in the country.
Eligible EV categories:
a) Two Wheelers (electric) (e-2W)
b) Three-wheeler (electric) including registered e-rickshaws & e-carts and L5 (e-3W)
- With greater emphasis on providing affordable and environment friendly public transportation options for the masses, scheme will be applicable mainly to those e-2W and e-3Ws registered for commercial purposes.
- Further, in addition to commercial use, privately or corporate owned registered e-2W will also be eligible under the scheme.
Target:
- The Scheme aims to support 3,72,215 EVs including e-2W (3,33,387) and e-3W (38,828 including 13,590 rickshaws & e-carts and 25,238 e-3W in L5 category).
- To encourage advance technologies, the benefits of incentives, will be extended to only those vehicles which are fitted with advanced battery.
Way Forward:
- The Scheme promotes an efficient, competitive and resilient EV manufacturing industry in the country thereby promoting the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat.
- For this purpose, Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) has been adopted which encourages domestic manufacturing and strengthening off EV supply chain. This shall also create significant employment opportunities along the value chain.
