Parliamentary panel slams defence ministry over $4.5 bn unpaid offset dues

A parliamentary committee has sharply criticized India's defence ministry over roughly Rs 42,500 crore ($4.5 billion) in unfulfilled offset obligations owed by foreign defence suppliers. The panel highlighted serious deficiencies in the ministry's planning and contract management practices. Artillery modernisation programmes were flagged as having suffered significant delays spanning nearly two decades. The committee also raised concerns about stalled helicopter upgradation efforts affecting operational readiness. The findings point to deep systemic issues within India's defence procurement and oversight framework.