As India steps into 2026, 2025 will be remembered as a landmark year for the Ministry of Defence – officially designated the ‘Year of Reforms’. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the guidance of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, the ministry achieved unprecedented progress in Aatmanirbharta, operational boldness, record-breaking production and exports, and institutional reforms. From the decisive Operation Sindoor that reshaped India’s counter-terrorism policy to historic milestones in indigenous manufacturing and global defence diplomacy, the year offered a compelling vision of a secure, self-reliant, and prosperous Bharat.
Operation Sindoor: Redefining India’s Response to Terrorism
The year was defined by Operation Sindoor, launched on the intervening night of May 6-7 in response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22 that killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali national. Indian Armed Forces carried out meticulously coordinated strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, neutralising over 100 terrorists, trainers, and handlers affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The operation caused maximum damage to terror infrastructure while minimising civilian harm.
On May 10, Pakistan retaliated with a massive assault using missiles, drones, rockets, and electronic warfare against Indian Air Force bases, ammunition depots, and military installations. India’s integrated air defence, counter-drone systems, and electronic warfare capabilities completely neutralised the attack, inflicting no damage. In a swift and decisive counter, the IAF targeted key Pakistani airbases including Chaklala, Sargodha, Rafiqui, Rahimyar Khan, Jacobabad, Sukkur, and Bholari. By May 10 evening, Pakistan’s DGMO appealed for cessation of hostilities, leading to formal talks on May 12.
Operation Sindoor highlighted exceptional tri-service synergy and the maturity of indigenous technologies in drone warfare, layered air defence, and electronic warfare. The Army held firm along the Line of Control, the Navy maintained a deterrent posture in the North Arabian Sea, and the Air Force delivered precision strikes. Raksha Mantri told Parliament that the operation remained “halted, not ended,” warning of even stronger responses to future provocations.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra: A New Era of Strategic Autonomy
In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Modi described Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s defence self-reliance, achieved through Made-in-India weapons. Announcing Mission Sudarshan Chakra – named after Lord Krishna’s invincible weapon – he outlined a long-term initiative to neutralise enemy infiltrations and build offensive capabilities. The mission aims to establish a comprehensive nationwide security shield covering all public places by 2035. Modi urged Indian innovators to develop indigenous jet engines, signalling an end to acceptance of nuclear blackmail and foreign-dictated terms.
Record-Breaking Production, Exports, and Budget
Defence production soared to an all-time high of Rs 1.51 lakh crore in FY 2024-25 – an 18% increase over the previous year and 90% growth since FY 2019-20. Defence Public Sector Undertakings contributed 77%, while the private sector’s share rose to 23%. A target of Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029 has been set.
Defence exports reached Rs 23,622 crore, registering 12% growth, with private sector and DPSUs contributing Rs 15,233 crore and Rs 8,389 crore respectively. The export target for 2029 stands at Rs 50,000 crore. The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated a record Rs 6.81 lakh crore to the Ministry – 9.53% higher than the previous year and 13.45% of the total budget, the highest among all ministries. Capital outlay was Rs 1.80 lakh crore, with 75% (Rs 1.12 lakh crore) earmarked for domestic procurement and Rs 28,000 crore reserved for private industry.
Institutional Reforms and Major Acquisitions
In line with the ‘Year of Reforms’, a comprehensive review of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 was initiated to promote indigenisation, technology infusion, and private sector participation. The Defence Procurement Manual 2025, released on October 23 and effective November 1, simplified revenue procurement processes worth approximately Rs 1 lakh crore annually.
Raksha Mantri inaugurated the third LCA Mk1A and second HTT-40 production lines at HAL Nashik on October 17, enabling annual production of 24 LCA aircraft. The AMCA execution model opened competitive bidding to both public and private sectors. Since January 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council approved capital acquisitions worth over Rs 3.84 lakh crore, prioritising indigenous sourcing. Major approvals included armoured recovery vehicles, electronic warfare systems, surface-to-air missiles, loiter munitions, radars, torpedoes, drones, and S-400 maintenance contracts.
Key contracts signed included an order for 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft (including 29 twin-seaters) with HAL for Rs 62,370 crore—featuring over 64% indigenous content; an Inter-Governmental Agreement with France for 26 Rafale-M fighters (22 single-seat, 4 twin-seat) for the Navy, which includes transfer of technology and local production facilities; a 156-aircraft deal for Light Combat Helicopters Prachand (66 for the IAF, 90 for the Army) valued at Rs 62,700 crore; and multiple defence contracts with DPSUs such as BEL, BDL, AVNL, EEL, and MIL for missiles, radars, and munitions. Private-sector partnerships were also advanced, including the ATAGS artillery programme with Bharat Forge, CQB carbine deals, and joint ventures with SAFRAN for precision weapons. Other milestones noted were the establishment of the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, the inauguration of DPSU Bhawan in New Delhi, and the successful staging of Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru.
Defence Diplomacy and International Engagements
Raksha Mantri attended SCO, ADMM-Plus, and bilateral meetings with counterparts from China, the US, Russia, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Morocco, and others. India condemned terrorism unequivocally, signed new frameworks with the US and Australia, and deepened cooperation with ASEAN and African nations. Trilateral and multilateral exercises strengthened interoperability.
Service-Specific Achievements
The Indian Army maintained stable yet sensitive northern borders, reduced violence in J&K and the North East, countered 791 drone intrusions (downing 237), and progressed infrastructure including all-weather tunnels. Women officers were appointed to command units, with increased intake and leadership roles.
The Navy commissioned 12 warships/submarines (including INS Surat, Nilgiri, Vaghsheer, and P17A frigates), conducted TROPEX-25 and tri-service exercises, and provided extensive HADR support.
The Air Force demonstrated precision during Sindoor, participated in international exercises, inducted C-295 aircraft, and decommissioned the MiG-21 fleet after six decades of service.
DRDO achieved breakthroughs in Pinaka long-range rockets, Pralay salvo launches, hypersonic technology, VLSRSAM, Akash Prime, Agni-Prime rail-mobile launch, and directed energy weapons, while introducing industry-friendly procurement reforms.
The Indian Coast Guard conducted anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations, commissioned new fast patrol vessels, and coordinated national oil-spill response exercises.
BRO completed and dedicated 175 infrastructure projects worth over Rs 6,879 crore, including the strategic Shyok Tunnel. Ex-servicemen welfare saw doubled grants under Armed Forces Flag Day Fund schemes, record ECHS allocation of Rs 10,928 crore, 23 new polyclinics, and SPARSH onboarding 31.69 lakh pensioners with 94.3% legacy discrepancies resolved.
As India welcomes 2026, the Ministry of Defence’s achievements in 2025 have firmly positioned the nation as a rising global power – technologically advanced, strategically autonomous, and unwavering in its commitment to sovereignty. The foundation laid this year will guide the journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047.
