Operation Sindoor Success Likely To Spur ₹50,000 Crore Hike In India’s Defence Budget: Reports | File Pic (Representative Image)
New Delhi: In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Indian government is likely to allocate an additional Rs 50,000 crore to the defence sector through a supplementary budget, according to reports. This would raise the total defence outlay beyond Rs 7 lakh crore for FY 2025–26, marking a substantial reinforcement of India’s military preparedness and self-reliance goals.
The operation, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, underscored India’s robust and indigenous defence capabilities, including the Akash air defence system and BrahMos cruise missiles, both of which played critical roles in neutralising incoming aerial threats.
Precision Strikes Drive Budget Expansion
The Rs 6.81 lakh crore defence allocation announced in February was already a record high, but Operation Sindoor’s success has triggered demands for enhanced funding, especially for research, weapons procurement, and air defence upgrades, according to a report by NDTV. The supplementary funds are expected to be tabled in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.
The 100-hour confrontation with Pakistan following India’s air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir revealed the strategic impact of India’s military synergy. Pakistan’s retaliatory drone and missile attacks were largely neutralised, thanks to systems like Akash and the Russian-made S-400, prompting officials to bolster domestic production and preparedness.
In his first address post-Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India’s counter-terror posture had shifted permanently, stressing that the nation would continue to act decisively to protect its sovereignty.
Indigenous Arsenal Powers Record Defence Exports
India’s indigenous weapons systems have not only proven their mettle in combat but are also fuelling a surge in defence exports. According to the Ministry of Defence, the country’s defence exports reached Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024–25, a 34-fold jump from 2013–14. The Ministry of Defence aims to push exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.
Domestically developed systems such as BrahMos, Akash, and the D4 anti-drone platform were crucial in repelling Pakistani offensives. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reiterating the government’s commitment to self-reliance, credited policy reforms and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative for this growth, saying India’s defence sector is now stronger than ever.
India currently exports defence equipment to nearly 80 countries and has issued over 1,700 export authorisations in the past year, reflecting growing international confidence in its defence manufacturing capabilities.
