Op Sindoor changed the way India looks at war, now can the budget pay for it?
Published on: Jan. 27, 2026, 2:06 p.m. | Source: The Economic Times
Budget 2026 is more than numbers; its a national security signal. After Operation Sindoor, Indias defence debate has a clear before and after -- from record modernisation approvals and front-loaded capital expenditure to a defence industry finally scaling indigenisation and exports. The real test will be whether this momentum is institutionalised through predictable funding, robust R&D, AI and drone integration, and strategic incentives -- in short, whether India is building a defence ecosystem for the long haul or celebrating a series of one-off victories.
