Following the success of Operation Sindoor, India is set to increase its defence budget by ₹50,000 crore, taking the total allocation for 2025–26 beyond ₹7 lakh crore, senior government sources told NDTV on Friday. The decision, expected to be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming Winter Session, reflects growing security concerns and renewed focus on domestic defence capability.
The move comes after India’s decisive military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor — a series of precision airstrikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Indian military’s performance during the 100-hour operation has been widely praised for showcasing tactical brilliance and robust technological capability. Much attention has been drawn to the effectiveness of India’s advanced air defence systems, notably the indigenous Akash missile system and the Russian-origin S-400, which helped neutralise a wave of drones and missile attacks from across the border. Experts have even compared India’s current defence shield to Israel’s Iron Dome.
Further strengthening the military’s readiness, India also successfully tested ‘Bhargavastra’ this week — a new low-cost, hard-kill counter-drone system employing micro-rockets. The trials, conducted at the Seaward Firing Range in Odisha’s Gopalpur, were reportedly successful, meeting all objectives and positioning the system for future deployment.
Dr Prahlada Ramarao, a former DRDO scientist and chief developer of the Akash system, said the missile is capable of intercepting highly manoeuvrable aircraft like Pakistan’s F-16s. “My tagline for Akash is ‘sara akash hamara’ — the whole sky is ours,” he told NDTV.
Operation Sindoor has reinforced India’s resolve to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and build a self-reliant defence sector. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised that long-term national security cannot be outsourced, and called for accelerated domestic production of weapons and technology.
“The more we rely on other countries for defence equipment, the more we risk our own sovereignty. We must build and buy in India,” he said.
In a firm post-operation statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India’s doctrine on terrorism has fundamentally changed. He warned Pakistan and its proxies that India will not hesitate to strike again if provoked, and reaffirmed India’s stance on reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“Our demand for the return of illegally occupied Kashmir will never change,” he said.
As India navigates a volatile regional security environment, the additional ₹50,000 crore is expected to fund crucial R&D initiatives and major weapon procurements, ensuring that the country’s armed forces remain agile, advanced, and prepared for emerging threats.
