New Delhi, Feb. 18 -- In a major boost to India's defence sector, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that the defence budget for the upcoming financial year 2025-26 will witness a 9.5 per cent increase, rising from the current Rs 6.21 trillion to Rs 6.81 trillion.

The increase aligns with India's ongoing efforts to modernise its military capabilities and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing.

Singh emphasised that India plans to invest USD 30 billion annually in defence modernisation over the next decade. Notably, 75 per cent of the capital expenditure (capex) budget will be allocated for procurement from domestic sources, with 25 per cent dedicated to private domestic industry.

This move is aimed at bolstering indigeno...