China Increases Defense Budget by 7.2% to $245 Billion, Three Times Higher Than India
Beijing, March 6, 2025: China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget for 2025, raising military spending to $245 billion, which is more than three times India’s defense budget of approximately $79 billion. This decision highlights China’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military capabilities and strengthen its global strategic position.
China’s Military Expansion Strategy
Despite setting an economic growth target of 5%, China continues to prioritize defense spending, focusing on the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The increased budget will support the development of:
Advanced weapon systems, including missiles, warships, and surveillance technologies.
Military infrastructure improvements aimed at strengthening naval and aerial dominance.
Enhanced cyber and space warfare capabilities, reinforcing China’s global military influence.
Strategic Implications for India and the Indo-Pacific
China’s rising defense expenditure presents strategic challenges for neighboring countries, especially India, which has maintained a defense budget of $79 billion. The budget disparity raises concerns about regional security dynamics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait.
India’s defense analysts have urged the government to increase military spending to at least 2.5% of GDP, up from the current 1.9%, to counterbalance China’s growing military strength.
Global Reactions to China’s Defense Spending
China’s defense budget is now the second-largest in the world, behind the United States, which has proposed a military budget of $850 billion for 2025. The continued growth of China’s military spending signals its ambition to expand global influence and challenge Western military dominance.
With geopolitical tensions rising, China’s aggressive military expansion is likely to impact global defense strategies, prompting India, the U.S., and allied nations to recalibrate their security policies in response.
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Source: admin