DEFENCE OF INDIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 253, 25 September 1939, Page 4

DEFENCE OF INDIA

FORCES TO BE RE-EQUIPPED. _ SIMLA, Sept. 5. India’s defences' are to be modernised and the forces*re-equipped as the result of recommendations made by an expert committee, which have been accepted by the British Government. The grant of £1,500,000 will be increased by £500,000 sterling, subject to Parliamentary approval. A capital grant of £5,000,000 will be made for the re-equipment of AngloIndian units. Additional aircraft has been authorised. Four British battalions have been transferred from the Indian to the Imperial establishment. The expert body went to India to examine the situation under the presidency of Admiral Lord Chatfield, and recommended equipping ' the Indian forces in accordance with modern requirements. The capital cost of executing all the proposals will be £34,000,000, which sum will, be provided from the Home Exchequer.

All branches of the service will be reequipped within five years. The Air Force will be brought up to date, four new escort vessels will be supplied to the Indian Navy, coast defences will bo modernised, and munitions will be made as fas as, possible self-sufficient.