Archive · 10 Oct 2026
India’s Defence Capital Spending Rises, With 69% Still Unused
India set aside Rs 2.19 lakh crore this year to buy and develop defence equipment.
In the first five months of FY27, spending was up 37% from the same period a year earlier.
But only 31% of the annual capital budget had been used, leaving 69% still to spend at the time of the report.
Kotak said spending might move faster in the second half of the year.
The government has also approved many proposals for possible defence purchases.
Those approvals are an early step, not a promise that a company has won an order.
Several large programmes still needed further clearance.
Companies will also need to deliver equipment and receive supplies for their business growth to follow government spending.
Defence capital expenditure rose 37% year-on-year in the first five months of FY27, while 31% of its annual budget estimate had been used.
The FY27 defence capital outlay is Rs 2.19 lakh crore, including Rs 1.85 lakh crore earmarked for capital acquisition.
Kotak said FY27 Acceptance of Necessity approvals had exceeded Rs 1.6 lakh crore, but such approvals are not signed contracts.
Four programmes awaiting Cabinet Committee on Security clearance were estimated by Kotak at a combined Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
Kotak said spending could accelerate in the second half, while contract timing and execution will affect individual manufacturers.
- Who
- The Ministry of Defence and defence manufacturers; Kotak Institutional Equities reported the spending figures.
- What
- Defence capital expenditure rose 37% year-on-year, with 31% of the FY27 allocation used in the first five months.
- When
- The first five months of FY27; Kotak’s report was dated October 4.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Capital spending supports acquisition and development of military equipment; the report says procurement awards and execution determine when it becomes company orders and revenue.
Potential spending and procurement opportunities
Delays and execution risks
FY27 spending outlook
Potential spending and procurement opportunities
Kotak said the spending trend pointed to the possibility of a stronger pace in the second half of FY27.
Delays and execution risks
Only 31% of the annual capital budget had been used by the end of the first five months, leaving 69% still to be spent.
Procurement pipeline
Potential spending and procurement opportunities
FY27 AoN approvals exceeded Rs 1.6 lakh crore, and several large programmes could create future opportunities for manufacturers.
Delays and execution risks
AoN is an early approval, not a signed contract; Kotak said approvals typically take one to two years to convert into contracts.
Company growth
Potential spending and procurement opportunities
Large defence allocations and potential awards could support manufacturers’ order books and longer-term growth.
Delays and execution risks
The report highlights pending clearances, delivery and supply issues, and the need for contract execution; budget spending alone does not guarantee orders or revenue.
- FY27 defence capital outlay
- Rs 2.19 lakh crore
- Capital outlay used
- 31% by the end of the first five months of FY27
- Capital outlay remaining
- 69% at the time covered by the report
- Year-on-year spending growth
- 37% during the first five months of FY27
- FY27 capital acquisition allocation
- Rs 1.85 lakh crore
- FY27 AoN approvals
- More than Rs 1.6 lakh crore, according to Kotak
- Four pending programmes
- Estimated at a combined Rs 1.5 lakh crore by Kotak