India’s defence sector is poised for a significant financial uplift, with reports indicating a potential ₹50,000 crore supplementary allocation to bolster military preparedness following the high-intensity Operation Sindoor. If approved, the country’s total defence budget for FY 2025–26 will surpass ₹7 lakh crore—a historic milestone for India’s armed forces.
This proposed increase comes on top of the already record-high ₹6.81 lakh crore announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget on February 1, representing a 9.2% jump from the previous year’s ₹6.22 lakh crore.
According to government sources, the supplementary budget is expected to be tabled during the Winter Session of Parliament. The additional funds are likely to be directed towards enhancing defence R&D, acquiring advanced weaponry, restocking ammunition, and upgrading military equipment—especially in light of the recent escalation in border tensions with Pakistan.
The catalyst for this surge in defence spending is Operation Sindoor, a 100-hour precision military campaign carried out by Indian forces in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation reportedly targeted terror camps deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), showcasing India’s ability to conduct swift and decisive retaliatory strikes.
India’s defence forces employed cutting-edge technologies during the operation, notably the Akash missile system, an indigenously developed air defence solution that drew comparisons with Israel’s Iron Dome for its interception accuracy and integration into battlefield strategy.
Adding to the momentum in defence innovation, India also recently conducted successful field tests of the Bhargavastra counter-drone system at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha. Operating in “hard kill” mode, the system uses micro-rockets to neutralize aerial threats, marking a significant step forward in the country’s anti-drone capabilities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production, stating, “If we buy defence equipment from other countries, it means we are outsourcing it and leaving our security in the hands of someone else. This cannot be a long-term solution.”
Since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration took office, India’s defence budget has more than tripled from ₹2.29 lakh crore to over ₹7 lakh crore. The defence ministry now commands 13% of the nation’s total budget—the highest among all government departments.
The proposed financial boost underlines New Delhi’s strategic shift towards a more assertive military posture, not only to deter external threats but also to establish itself as a self-reliant defence power in an increasingly volatile region.
India’s defence sector is poised for a significant financial uplift, with reports indicating a potential ₹50,000 crore supplementary allocation to bolster military preparedness following the high-intensity Operation Sindoor. If approved, the country’s total defence budget for FY 2025–26 will surpass ₹7 lakh crore—a historic milestone for India’s armed forces.
This proposed increase comes on top of the already record-high ₹6.81 lakh crore announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget on February 1, representing a 9.2% jump from the previous year’s ₹6.22 lakh crore.
According to government sources, the supplementary budget is expected to be tabled during the Winter Session of Parliament. The additional funds are likely to be directed towards enhancing defence R&D, acquiring advanced weaponry, restocking ammunition, and upgrading military equipment—especially in light of the recent escalation in border tensions with Pakistan.
The catalyst for this surge in defence spending is Operation Sindoor, a 100-hour precision military campaign carried out by Indian forces in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation reportedly targeted terror camps deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), showcasing India’s ability to conduct swift and decisive retaliatory strikes.
India’s defence forces employed cutting-edge technologies during the operation, notably the Akash missile system, an indigenously developed air defence solution that drew comparisons with Israel’s Iron Dome for its interception accuracy and integration into battlefield strategy.
Adding to the momentum in defence innovation, India also recently conducted successful field tests of the Bhargavastra counter-drone system at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha. Operating in “hard kill” mode, the system uses micro-rockets to neutralize aerial threats, marking a significant step forward in the country’s anti-drone capabilities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production, stating, “If we buy defence equipment from other countries, it means we are outsourcing it and leaving our security in the hands of someone else. This cannot be a long-term solution.”
Since 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration took office, India’s defence budget has more than tripled from ₹2.29 lakh crore to over ₹7 lakh crore. The defence ministry now commands 13% of the nation’s total budget—the highest among all government departments.
The proposed financial boost underlines New Delhi’s strategic shift towards a more assertive military posture, not only to deter external threats but also to establish itself as a self-reliant defence power in an increasingly volatile region.
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