Op Sindoor changed the way India looks at war, now can the budget pay for it?

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.