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Saturday, February 21, 2026
TopicDefence budget

Topic: Defence budget

2026 defence budget is not good enough to achieve Viksit armed forces

The creation of Viksit armed forces requires a national security vision for 2047, a national security strategy reviewed every five years, and a national defence policy.

Defence budget through the years: Big leap for 2026-27, but what numbers since 1999 reveal

ThePrint’s analysis of all budgets from 1999-2026 shows that the capex as total share of defence budget was the highest under UPA I & II. Multifold jump in pension outlays.

Op Sindoor effect: Defence capital budget up 22% to 2.19 lakh cr, big boost for aircraft, aero engines

The surge in capital budget considers a slew of mega contracts set to be signed next fiscal, including the one for 114 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force.

‘Lowest ever since 1962’: Congress MP Deepender Hooda flags dip in defence budget under Modi govt

Urging an immediate hike in defence allocation, Rohtak MP bats for the armed forces to be equipped with modern weapons and fighter aircraft.

Pakistan raises defence spending by 20% but slashes overall federal budget 

Islamabad allocates PKR 2.55 trillion (approx Rs 76,500 crore) to defence in FY26 amid IMF pressures, declining growth and rising debt.

Trump factor looms large as Canada pledges 2% of GDP on defence spending by end of fiscal year

With only one seaworthy submarine and less than half its maritime and land vehicles operational, Canada has made this major announcement ahead of the G7 and NATO summits.

China continues military modernisation push with 7.2% defence budget hike for third straight year

Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, the defence budget has more than doubled from 720 billion yuan in 2013 as China has been investing heavily in advanced military capabilities.

Europe’s social welfare economies must now focus on defence. How, is the question

As global diplomacy heads in an uncertain direction, many European leaders see a need to swiftly ramp up defence spending.

India’s long-term growth is in securing its seas. When will the Navy budget reflect this?

As Sardar KM Panikkar explained, India’s land-based invaders ultimately became natives. Its colonisers came by the sea—and they were successful because Indian rulers ignored the waters.

House panel flags low Army budget for modernisation, urges hike for sufficient deterrence capacity

Standing committee has urged focus on procurement of state-of-the-art equipment & keeping Army expenditure ‘in proportion to increase in defence spending of our neighbours’.

On Camera

Youth Congress, your foolish protest helped the Modi govt climb out of the AI summit hole

In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

MoD, IAF agree on some exemptions to HAL for Tejas Mk1A, but no compromise on ‘must-have’ capabilities

IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.