Army Chief Outlines India's Mega Drone Push: 5,000 per Command, 100 km Strike Range
India's Army chief said on 13th January 2026 that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations has been asked to rein in what the government vie
A total of INR 63,733 crore is owed to aircraft and aeroengines, and INR 25,023 crore to the naval fleet. The Defence Ministry has received a 15% increase in its budget, with capital expenditure rising from INR 1.80 lakh crore in the previous year to INR 2.19 lakh crore in FY 2026-27, a 21.84% increase.
Recently, India has emphasized on air power. The promotion of indigenous weapons and defence equipment production under the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' is now clearly visible. The increased defence budget will boost indigenous defence production, enable the acquisition of contemporary weapon systems, and strengthen the armed forces' operational capabilities.
Strengthening India's Air Power: The Current Fleet of 36 Rafale Fighter Jets
The Defence Ministry is currently working on several large and important projects and will launch new schemes. The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale fighter jets, which have significantly improved its operational capabilities. The plans to procure additional Rafale jets are also under consideration to meet the Air Force's requirements.
UAVs' Role Clarified After Operation Sindoor
The Russia-Ukraine war and Operation Sindoor have highlighted the power of air power for India. It was a firsthand experience for India when drones were used extensively to demolish the Pakistani terrorist camps. This has underlined their increasing role in contemporary warfare. Drones are increasingly used for surveillance, gathering information and precision strikes.
The expansion of drone manufacturing and related technologies is a top priority for the Indian government. Many projects are underway, including the acquisition of MQ-9B drones, the development of indigenous drones and the deployment of counter-drones. The government wants to increase domestic production, indigenous weapons production and exports. Following Operation Sindoor, tensions with Pakistan have increased and there are also border challenges with China.
Defence Secretary Welcomes the Decision
The Defence Secretary welcomed the Budget 2026-27. The allocation for defence pensions has also augmented, with the government assigning INR 1,71,338.22 crore for this purpose.
Source: Economic Times
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