India's defense strength could get a sizeable boost with government sources hinting at a suggested ₹50,000 crore addition to the defence budget after the successes of 'Operation Sindoor'.
As per an NDTV report quoting official sources, this extra budgetary assistance is likely to be brought in the form of a supplementary budget later this year. If sanctioned, it would take the total defence spending beyond the ₹7 lakh crore figure for the first time.
In the 2025–26 Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had already allocated a record ₹6.81 lakh crore to the Defence Ministry — an increase of 9.2% from the last fiscal's ₹6.22 lakh crore.
If the fresh funds are approved, it would reaffirm the government's long-standing emphasis on building national security and speeding up military modernisation.
Sources close to the government explained that the additional money would be spent on critical areas including purchase of advanced weapons, research and development, replacement of ammunition, and procurement of state-of-the-art defense equipment.
The move is expected to be tabled in parliament for approval in the upcoming Winter Session.
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over in 2014, India's defence spending has experienced steady and remarkable growth. In 2014–15, the allocation was ₹2.29 lakh crore. The present spending not only is the highest across all ministries but also accounts for 13% of the total national budget.
The push for this funding boost follows in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor' — India's aggressive military response to the April 22 terror attack on Pahalgam. The operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was a demonstration of India's amplified strategic strength and military resolve.
'Operation Sindoor' also highlighted the expanding role of defense technologies indigenous in nature. In the systems unveiled was the missile system developed at home, known as Akash, often compared to Israel's Iron Dome owing to its robust air defence credentials.
Simultaneously, India successfully tested its new anti-drone weapon, Bhargavastra — a budget-friendly, hard-kill system that can neutralise drone threats through the use of micro-rockets. The system was tested in the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha, earlier this week, where authorities confirmed it had passed all operational parameters.
This chain of developments represents a strong and assertive stance in India's defense policy, and the focus on home-grown technology and greater preparedness to counter threats in the neighborhood.
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