Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Ireland cuts budget for 2011

“In 2011 the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, like all areas of the public service, will operate on a reduced budget. The gross allocation in 2011 for Defence and Army Pensions combined is EUR 933m, an overall reduction of 4% on the 2010 allocation. Defence spending at EUR 725m (including capital spending) will be down by EUR 30m (4%) on the 2010 Estimate. The provision for Army Pensions (Vote 37) for 2011 is EUR 208m, which is a non-discretionary expenditure.

Vote 36 (Defence) and 37 (Army Pensions)



The expenditure reductions will be delivered through the reduction in participation in overseas peacekeeping, particularly the withdrawal from Chad and the reductions in numbers serving in Kosovo and Bosnia- Herzegovina. Savings will also be achieved through the postponement of expenditure on equipment and capital works across the Defence Forces.

There are currently 2 aircrafts available for the Ministerial Air Transport Service. The Gulfstream IV aircraft is in service for almost 20 years and no provision has been made in the Estimates for a replacement or for any major structural repair. The Learjet aircraft will continue in operation.

While there have been reductions in the overall Defence budget, steady investment since 2000 means that the Defence Forces are well placed in addressing the challenges for 2011 and the adjustments required under the National Recovery Plan.

The procurement of two new naval vessels will continue within the reduced allocation for Defence spending.

All of the main savings indentified in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes have already been implemented or alternative savings identified.”

“The priority in the coming year will be on maintaining the capability of the Defence Forces to deliver effective services across all of the roles assigned by Government.

Ireland remains open to participation in peace keeping operations with such participation reflecting the reduced budgetary resources. The Defence Forces retain the capacity to deploy overseas. No decisions have been made by the Government in relation to new peace keeping operations.” added Minister Killeen.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sri Lanka Spending $1.9B in 2011

COLOMBO, Sir Lanka -The Sri Lanka government has allocated SLR215 billion ($1.92 billion) for defense for 2011, amounting to 20 percent of the national budget and representing an increase of 6 percent over last year's budget. Much of this budget is due to large installment payments on military hardware bought over the years. These will continue to dominate the military budget for some time.
As usual, the 200,000-strong Sri Lanka Army will absorb just over half of the entire defense spending to maintain its personnel. A substantial proportion of this will be spent on new bases and cantonments needed to accommodate troops in the northern and eastern provinces, replacing the existing makeshift shelters.
Also acting to increase the defense budget is the consolidation of a number of paramilitary budgets from other ministries into the Ministry of Defense.

S Korea approves 6.2% increase for defense in 2011

South Korea’s parliament approved plans to increase spending next year by 5.5 percent to 309.1 trillion won ($270 billion).
Lawmakers from the ruling Grand National Party approved the budget in a televised session of the National Assembly today, allocating 500 billion won less than a September proposal by the government.
Members of the opposition parties including the Democratic Party tried to block passage after the GNP earlier today approved the bill at a subcommittee without their participation.
South Korea plans to increase spending on defense by 6.2 percent to 31.4 trillion won next year to bolster military readiness to respond to any provocation by North Korea. The increase is higher than the 5.8 percent initially planned by the government.