Stronger enemies mean India must invest more in defence and update its military.
India is now facing a serious two-front military challenge from both China and Pakistan. The recent conflict during Operation Sindoor clearly showed how closely these two countries are working together. Experts believe India needs to act fast to prepare for the future.
One of the first steps is increasing the defence budget. Right now, India spends about 1.9% of its GDP on defence, but experts say this should be at least 2.5%. Most of the current budget goes to salaries, pensions, and daily running costs, leaving very little for buying new weapons or upgrading equipment.
A senior military officer said, “We are dealing with a superpower like China, which is also supporting Pakistan’s military. We need to be ready to face both, often on our own.”
During the May 7–10 conflict, Pakistan used many advanced Chinese weapons—like J-10 fighter jets with long-range missiles and HQ-9 missile defence systems. Reports also say that Pakistan may soon buy stealth fighter jets and stronger air defence systems from China.
To stay ahead, India must invest more in modern technology like long-range missiles, drones, satellite systems, and electronic warfare tools. These are the weapons of future wars, and India must start building them at home in large numbers.
Self-reliance in defence is very important. India cannot depend on foreign countries in times of crisis. So, the government must support private companies and make it easier for them to help in defence manufacturing. Projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s future stealth fighter—need to be speeded up. India also needs to develop powerful engines for these planes.
Right now, the Indian Air Force has just 30 fighter squadrons, though it needs more than 42. This shortage needs to be fixed. At the same time, India must produce more drones and loitering weapons, which are now widely used in modern battles.
Operation Sindoor also showed how important air defence is. India used many systems like the Russian S-400, Barak-8, and the Akash missile to stop enemy drones and missiles. Now, DRDO must quickly finish work on short-range and long-range air defence missiles being developed under Project Kusha.
Finally, India needs to carry out big reforms in the defence system. The military has over 15 lakh personnel, and many of them are in non-combat roles. The structure must be made leaner and more efficient. Creating unified theatre commands—where the Army, Navy, and Air Force work together as one team—is also very important.
