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Rajnath Singh: India's Defence Budget Triples to Rs 7.5 Lakh Crore, Boosts Self-Reliance
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Firstpost•25-09-2026, 10:40
Rajnath Singh: India's Defence Budget Triples to Rs 7.5 Lakh Crore, Boosts Self-Reliance
- •Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced India's defence budget has increased threefold to Rs 7.5 lakh crore from Rs 2.5 lakh crore, with indigenous defence production growing fourfold.
- •The significant increase in defence spending is part of a broader strategy to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing, technology, and research, emphasizing domestic design, development, and production.
- •Defence R&D spending has exceeded Rs 29,000 crore, with 25% allocated to industry and academia, and 5,522 items placed on the positive indigenisation list to reduce import dependence.
- •The private sector will play a larger role, with conventional missile technology being transferred to private industry, and defence production reaching a record Rs 1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26.
- •India is focusing on next-generation military technology, including fifth- and sixth-generation fighter aircraft, cybersecurity, and advanced strategic systems like the Agni-V missile with MIRV technology, balancing diplomacy with military preparedness.
Key Questions Answered
India's defence budget has increased threefold to Rs 7.5 lakh crore from Rs 2.5 lakh crore, while indigenous defence production has grown fourfold.
Defence research and development spending has crossed Rs 29,000 crore, with around 25 percent of the allocation directed towards industry and academia.
The positive indigenisation list aims to eventually manufacture these 5,522 products within India to reduce dependence on imports and create supply chain opportunities for domestic companies.
