India's Defence Sector Likely to Receive ₹50,000-Crore Boost After Operation Sindoor: Report

According to reports citing government sources, India’s defence budget could see an additional infusion of Rs 50,000 crore through a supplementary budget associated with Operation Sindoor. If approved, this increase would raise the total defence allocation beyond Rs 7 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2025–26.

The current defence allocation accounts for 13% of India’s total budget | News18

In the Union Budget presented on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had already set aside a record Rs 6.81 lakh crore for the armed forces, reflecting a substantial 9.2% rise from the Rs 6.22 lakh crore allocated in 2024–25.

Officials indicate that the extra funds will be directed towards strengthening vital sectors such as defence research and development, alongside the procurement of weapons, ammunition, and other essential military hardware. This enhanced allocation is expected to be proposed during Parliament’s upcoming Winter Session.

Since assuming office in 2014, the Narendra Modi-led government has prioritized defence. In its inaugural year, the BJP administration allocated Rs 2.29 lakh crore to the Defence Ministry—a figure that has more than tripled in the past decade.

Currently, the defence budget accounts for 13% of India’s total expenditure, making it the largest among all ministries. This strong focus on military readiness comes amid rising tensions with Pakistan, especially following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s assertive military retaliation under Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Operation Sindoor has garnered international attention for showcasing the Indian military’s effective blend of tactical precision and advanced air defence technology, drawing comparisons to Israel’s famed ‘Iron Dome.’ A key component of this capability is the indigenously developed Akash missile defence system, which has significantly enhanced India’s defence readiness.

Further bolstering its military assets, India recently tested Bhargavastra, an economical counter-drone system operating in ‘hard kill’ mode. Its micro-rockets were successfully trialed this week at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha, fulfilling all mission parameters.

Following the intense 100-hour military confrontation with Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the need to strengthen indigenous 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."

The Pahalgam Incident and Operation Sindoor

The crisis was triggered by a deadly terrorist assault in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, where militants affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba killed 26 individuals, including civilians. The attack provoked widespread outrage across India and led to immediate non-military responses, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

In retaliation, India initiated Operation Sindoor, carrying out precise air strikes on nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In response, Pakistan launched a wave of drones and missiles targeting Indian military and civilian sites. However, India’s robust air defense systems—including the indigenous Akash and the Russian S-400—effectively intercepted and neutralized the threats.

India escalated its response with further air raids, targeting and destroying key radar installations and damaging Pakistani Air Force bases. The intensity of the counter-offensive forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire.

On Monday, during his first address following the operation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a strong warning to terrorists and their sponsors in Pakistan. He declared that India’s stance on terrorism had fundamentally changed, and asserted that any dialogue concerning Kashmir would only be entertained if it focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure and reclaiming illegally occupied territories.

The Prime Minister’s remarks reflected a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine—signaling a new policy of preemptive and retaliatory precision strikes aimed at ensuring national security.

(Sources: News18, NDTV)