India’s defence spending is set to get a significant boost, with a focus on modernising the armed forces and enhancing their combat capabilities following Operation Sindoor, sources have indicated.
A proposal for an additional ₹50,000 crore through a supplementary budget is under consideration and is expected to be presented in the Winter Session of Parliament. This extra funding will reportedly go toward critical acquisitions, weapons systems, and advancing defence technology.
Earlier this year, the Union Budget allocated a record ₹6.81 lakh crore to the defence sector — a 9.53% rise over the previous year. Since 2014-15, when the budget stood at ₹2.29 lakh crore, the allocation has nearly tripled under the NDA government, reflecting a consistent push for military modernisation.
Operation Sindoor, which involved high-precision strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan without crossing the border, highlighted India’s evolving defence strategy and military strength.
During the confrontation, India’s layered air defence shield effectively neutralised almost all incoming threats from Pakistan. This included a combination of imported and indigenous systems, such as the long-range Russian S-400 Triumf, the Barak-8 medium-range system, and India’s own Akash missile system. Legacy platforms like the Pechora, OSA-AK, and LLAD guns also played a critical role.
Operation Sindoor showcased the effectiveness of homegrown military technology, a point Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised in his national address on May 12.
"Our Made-in-India weapons proved their mettle in this operation," the Prime Minister stated. "The world now acknowledges that Indian defence manufacturing is ready to lead 21st-century warfare."
With the proposed funding, the government is expected to prioritise immediate operational needs while also investing in long-term projects that support indigenous defence production and innovation.