India’s defence sector may get Rs 50,000-crore boost post Operation Sindoor: Report

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 16, 2025: India’s defence budget may receive an additional allocation of Rs 50,000 crore under a supplementary budget linked to Operation Sindoor, according to reports citing government sources. If approved, this boost would push the total defence allocation beyond Rs 7 lakh crore for the financial year 2025–26.

In the Union Budget presented on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had already earmarked a record Rs 6.81 lakh crore for the armed forces. This marked a significant 9.2 per cent increase from the Rs 6.22 lakh crore allocated in 2024–25.

Sources suggest that the additional funds will be used to strengthen key areas such as defence research and development, as well as the procurement of weapons, ammunition, and other critical military equipment. Approval for this enhanced allocation is expected to be sought during the Parliament’s Winter Session.

Since coming to power in 2014, the Narendra Modi-led government has made defence a central focus. In its first year, the BJP government allocated Rs 2.29 lakh crore to the Defence Ministry, a figure that has more than tripled over the past decade.

The current defence allocation—accounting for 13 per cent of India’s total budget—is the highest among all ministries. This emphasis on military preparedness comes amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, particularly following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s decisive military response under Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Operation Sindoor brought global attention to the Indian military’s effective integration of tactical precision and advanced air defence systems, drawing comparisons to Israel’s renowned ‘Iron Dome.’ Central to this capability is the indigenously developed Akash missile defence system, which has played a vital role in enhancing India’s defensive posture.

Further strengthening its military capabilities, India recently tested Bhargavastra, a cost-effective counter-drone system operating in ‘hard kill’ mode. The system’s micro-rockets were successfully tested this week at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha, meeting all mission objectives.

In the aftermath of the intense 100-hour military engagement with Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh renewed the call for greater domestic defence manufacturing, 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 Attack and Operation Sindoor

The crisis began with a deadly terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, where operatives linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba killed 26 people, including civilians. The attack sparked nationwide outrage and prompted swift non-military responses, such as the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

India then launched Operation Sindoor, executing precision air strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and PoK. In a calculated response, Pakistan launched a barrage of drones and missiles targeting Indian military and civilian infrastructure. However, India’s advanced air defence shield—comprising the Akash and Russian S-400 systems—effectively neutralised the threats.

India retaliated with further strikes, destroying radar installations and inflicting damage on Pakistani Air Force bases. The overwhelming response compelled Pakistan to request a ceasefire.

On Monday, in his first address after the operation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to terrorists and their backers in Pakistan. He asserted that India’s approach to terrorism had irrevocably changed and emphasized that New Delhi would not engage in dialogue on Kashmir unless it pertained to dismantling terrorist infrastructure and reclaiming illegally occupied territory.

PM Modi’s remarks underscored a doctrinal shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy, reinforcing a policy of pre-emptive and retaliatory precision strikes to safeguard national security.