Defence industry in the economy

Instead of diverting funds, defence induswtry should be made more useful

When it comes to military outflow and economic development, there are three kinds of relationships: positive, negative, and neutral, depending on whether it aids or hinders the economy

In order to have a multifaceted, perplexing, and vigorous approach for the country’s setting, Pakistan must increase its military spending.  Pakistan spends over 3 percent of its GDP on defense, which means that 97 percent of that money might be better spent by reducing surplus, cultivating skills, and increasing capacity at all levels. The 3 percent could be used to help the economy, especially through conversions.

War may be more expensive than guarding the state’s defense capability; therefore for a country like Pakistan, which has already invested heavily in its military, retaining erudite soldiers is exorbitant. Innovation that gives security and safety to the state while also offering possibilities for economic recovery can provide the basis for sensible industrial strategy by investing in defense infrastructure and spending.

Growing security concerns in Pakistan, such as inter-state border issues linked to the merger, racial tensions, and radicalization within the country, have an impact on the battle on radicalism. Since independence, India’s strategy and investment have dominated Pakistan’s defence industry. India, on the other hand, has accused China of starting a conventional and nuclear arms race in the region. Threat perceptions and security challenges have sparked a Subcontinent-wide weapons race. Expenditures on the budget are separated into two groups. Non-development expenditures include defense and interest payments, while development expenditures include social communities, services, and economic services.

The idea that “military spending” was a non-development expenditure shifted dramatically in the post-Cold War era, with many individuals believing that military spending does not fit within the category of development investment. Defence investment and the defence sector are considered as a source of increased demand and employment, particularly in developing countries. The global defence sector generates trillions of dollars annually. Military investment may have a favourable effect on the development of the industrial sector in the world’s least developed countries. By selling armaments and other related equipment, the defence business brings in billions of money for countries.

Defence investment and the defence sector, particularly in emerging nations, are considered as sources of increased demand and employment. The global military industry generates trillions of dollars in revenue every year. Military spending in the world’s least developed countries may have a favourable influence on the industrial sector’s growth.

Defence businesses globally earn billions of dollars each year. There are plans for Pakistan’s military sector to be indigenized as part of the country’s independence.

By 2009, Pakistan’s defence sector was expected to have furnished equipment worth $6.3 billion, with a total value of $10.4 billion by 2015. The majority of the items were made for the military’s domestic requirements. In defence work, Pakistan has followed a strategy of self-assurance. Since 2002, a scheme has been in place to lower the current capacity of defence industrial facilities in order to promote the export of arms. As a result, the country’s armament exports more than tripled in 2012, hitting $300 million, up from $100 million in 2006 and $40 million in 2000, representing a 650 percent increase (Sen, 1983).

In Pakistan, the defence sector, on the other hand, offers health, education, transportation, and communication, as well as other social sector-related services that contribute to economic growth. The governments have arguments to spend more on defence on the basis of the aforementioned reasons. One study found that increasing defence spending through inflation boosts economic development, especially in resource-constrained nations like Pakistan.

Furthermore, these sectors’ Research and Development (R&D) sections aid the civil industrial sector in terms of technical development and the development of a skilled workforce for the country. If nuclear reactors in Pakistan are well-managed, they will contribute to the country’s economic development by supplying energy.

Even if the military changes the composition of its spending to more productive routes, the inequity that welfare benefits primarily the military associated people persist. Only if the civil administration gives value for money can the shift of resources to more universal welfare be successful. It s unclear if the military-created welfare is inhibiting the establishment of a universal system or is a reaction to the one that has failed. Army welfare may become obsolete if political governments use the possessions at their disposal more efficiently, and resources may be dispersed more equally.

Resources can be saved by limiting the high-ranking officers’ monetary rewards and eliminating communication waste in inter- and intra-services setups due to underdeveloped C4Is. General Musharraf’s administration took several noteworthy initiatives to solve this issue. In 2002, Shireen Mazari was of the view that even at the level of R&D, where each service appears to be “doing it alone,” the presence of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee should result in extensive coordination between the three services in terms of doctrine and induction of new weapons systems, but the reality is otherwise.

It not only squandered time and space, but it also squandered resources. Inter-service rivalry that lead to final outbursts and turf wars should be eliminated, and operations should be marked by “real jointness.” Private enterprises should be brought in to improve capacity and efficiency, build a target-oriented approach, and free up resources for the strategic avenues, especially in non-strategic areas.

Pakistan’s military budget is likely to increase in the near future due to the country’s strategic situation. As a result, it appears that Pakistan’s current military budget is being spent in a more effective and beneficial manner for economic growth. Steps would be taken to make the military, or at least just the military industry, self-sufficient.

Defence investment and the defence sector, particularly in emerging nations, are considered as sources of increased demand and employment. The global military industry generates trillions of dollars in revenue every year. Military spending in the world’s least developed countries may have a favourable influence on the industrial sector’s growth.

The military industry earns billions of dollars for governments by selling guns and other associated equipment. Still it seems the situation is giving the glimpse of your guess is good as mine, as everyone comes forward with novel predictions. It may be as useful as a chocolate teapot, nevertheless there is always room for optimistic views dispersing positivity.

Fatima Zaheer
Fatima Zaheer
The writer is a freelance columnist

Must Read

Investing in Youth and SMSs

Pakistan faces the daunting task of transforming its large number of young people into a demographic dividend. Unfortunately, the country's economic opportunities somehow have...

More sentenced

Epaper_24-12-28 LHR

Epaper_24-12-28 KHI