Pakistan Army | News and Discussions
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ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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Defence gets Rs3tr amid security concerns
Baqir Sajjad SyedJune 13, 2026
• Increase comes amid tensions with India, Afghan border concerns
• Allocation crosses 2pc of GDP after 17.6pc hike
• Military spending makes up nearly 16pc of federal outlay
• Rs967.55bn earmarked for salaries, allowances
• Military pensions budgeted separately at Rs822bn
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday proposed allocating Rs3 trillion for defence services in fiscal year 2026-27, marking a 17.65 per cent increase over the outgoing year’s original allocation of Rs2.55tr, as it sought to sustain military preparedness amid continuing tensions with India, a deteriorating security situation along the Afghan border and persistent militant violence at home.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, while tabling the budget in the National Assembly, said Pakistan’s armed forces had delivered a decisive response to India’s aggression, forcing the adversary to retreat and demonstrating the country’s military preparedness and professional competence.
ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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Budget documents show that the outgoing year’s original defence allocation of Rs2.55tr was later revised upward to Rs2.58tr, continuing the longstanding pattern of actual military expenditure exceeding initial budget estimates.
The latest increase, though lower than last year’s roughly 20pc rise, remains significantly above the average annual growth in defence spending recorded over the preceding five years.
The increase comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s military confrontation with India last year, continuing counterterrorism operations and growing concerns over militant safe havens across the border with Afghanistan.
A functional breakdown of the proposed allocation shows employee-related expenses remain the largest component of defence spending.
An amount of Rs967.55bn has been earmarked for salaries and allowances of serving military personnel and civilian employees, representing a 14.36pc increase over last year’s allocation of Rs846.03bn. The category accounts for 32.25pc of the total defence budget.
Operating expenses, covering fuel, transportation, rations, training, medical treatment and other day-to-day requirements, are projected to increase by 5.54pc to Rs743.46bn from Rs704.4bn in the outgoing year and would consume nearly one-fourth of the overall allocation.
The sharpest increase has been proposed under the physical assets head, which finances procurement of arms, ammunition, military equipment and related acquisitions.
The latest increase, though lower than last year’s roughly 20pc rise, remains significantly above the average annual growth in defence spending recorded over the preceding five years.
The increase comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s military confrontation with India last year, continuing counterterrorism operations and growing concerns over militant safe havens across the border with Afghanistan.
A functional breakdown of the proposed allocation shows employee-related expenses remain the largest component of defence spending.
An amount of Rs967.55bn has been earmarked for salaries and allowances of serving military personnel and civilian employees, representing a 14.36pc increase over last year’s allocation of Rs846.03bn. The category accounts for 32.25pc of the total defence budget.
Operating expenses, covering fuel, transportation, rations, training, medical treatment and other day-to-day requirements, are projected to increase by 5.54pc to Rs743.46bn from Rs704.4bn in the outgoing year and would consume nearly one-fourth of the overall allocation.
The sharpest increase has been proposed under the physical assets head, which finances procurement of arms, ammunition, military equipment and related acquisitions.
FuturePAF
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
Considering the track record of the Mi-17 vis a vi Crashes, and how much these kinds of crashes can impact not just the lives of servicemen, morale if troops in general, but also operations and an overall strategy potentially going sideways (remember black hawk down), Pakistan needs to start looking for a replacement that is affordable but that also prioritizes crash survival. Also considering plans to perhaps shift to domestic production alongside the Saudis and getting in early enough with a rising partner, Pakistan should consider joint production of the Turkish medium (T-625) and heavy (T-925) transport helicopter projects.
Phased in of course, as the Mi-17 age out.
Use of similar engines on the Mi-17 and T-925 should make the transition easier.
These crashes, in peacetime, seem like such a preventable problem. Regardless of what one feels about any leadership, military or civilian, but losing leadership especially, is very disruptive to the operations of the state.
abcefg
Registered Member
If PAA is sensible, they won’t opt for Turkish options when Leonardo is available; , Procure more AW-139s for troop transport, given their abundant availability in the second-hand market, sooner rather then later all those 412s are going as well, PAF already has an MRO for 139s, most sensible purchase.
PAF and PAA would have commonality which could force the PN to get these as well to replace aging WS-61s
FuturePAF
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
Fair point, especially with the MRO facility and availability of used -139s available. Thanks for the heads up.
Considering the need for the Saudis (and other GCC nations) to rebuild their militaries in the face of the Iranian factor, and Pakistan’s potential to play a large part in supporting such an endeavor, it would be great if these interests could overlap and see Pakistan work with the Italians to sell on second hand and some new AW-139 and even EH-101 in large numbers, to support the up to 80,000 troops that could be deployed to Saudi Arabia. Only if Saudi and Pakistan can get a full ToT to do fabrication/rebuild plant in Pakistan, including the engines.
Battle tested in the Afghan they get for the past 20 years, I’m sure Augustawestland has worked out the teething issues,
The future seems to be around quickly moving around air defense batteries, against missiles and drones, and helicopters can play a great role in such a mission.
The EH-101 is no chinook, only 2/3 the lift capacity, but could give the PA formidable maneuverability in moving rocket artillery and air defense batteries slung underneath.
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Michael
VIP Member
I completely disagree with your point of view. In fact, I believe your viewpoint contains serious bias.
The Mi-17 series helicopter is the most widely used helicopter in the world. In a comprehensive evaluation of economic cost, space utilization, environmental adaptability, and operational support, it surpasses any other helicopter in the world. No other helicopter can compare.
People often only focus on its crashes, deliberately ignoring many other factors. Its situation is similar to that of the Toyota pickup truck. But almost no one criticizes the Toyota pickup truck. This is a classic example of bias.
FuturePAF
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
No doubt it is a cost effective platform, but a focus on flight safety is also something we see in the Russian follow on to the Mi-17; the Mi-38.
If Pakistan can convince the Saudi to fund such an acquisition, to equip a Pakistani force in Saudi, then Pakistan and Saudi should go for a full up ToT program including engine manufacturing. It’s an option for a battle proven design, from European military industry that would probably be willing to make such a deal. Just look at Augusta-Westland and their support in the Turkish helicopter industry.
We have seen what losing troops in Toyota pickups have done to our efforts, so continuing to do the same with the Toyota equivalent for helicopters will cost us in the long run. Just look at what the loss of an India Mi-17 with their military chief on board did to their military.
Look at the PLA, they didn’t adopt a domestic inspired design for their future helicopter programs, but chose the Z-20 and Z-8 as the more versatile, even if more expensive design, going forward. In part I believe due to safety.
So it’s not about bias, it’s about safety, over cost, because losing operational tempo in battle can throw a whole mission off and also sap morale.
Mi-38 to Obtain Advanced Features
Additional certification tests of the Mi-38 helicopters aimed at widening its range of applicability started at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
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