NEW DELHI: In the wake of Operation Sindoor that destroyed 9 terrorist camps across Pakistan, Pakistan attempted to escalate tensions by launching missile strikes at Indian military installations across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Every single one of those missiles was intercepted or neutralized. None reached its intended target.
- India’s rapid, coordinated response showcased the strength of its air defence ecosystem—built painstakingly over the past 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also exposed the hollowness of Pakistani Air defence system.
- The Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, S-400 Triumf systems, Barak-8 missiles, Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles, and DRDO’s anti-drone technologies came together seamlessly to create an aerial shield that held firm.
- India didn’t stop at defending. It retaliated with speed and precision. Operation Sindoor saw the Indian Armed Forces strike deep into Pakistani territory, destroying a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence unit in Lahore and damaging key radar infrastructure.
A Decade of Strategic Preparedness
- This level of preparedness didn’t materialize overnight. Since 2014, the Modi government has systematically upgraded India’s air defence architecture. Key acquisitions and developments include:
o The ₹35,000 crore deal for five S-400 Triumf squadrons, signed in 2018, with three squadrons now operational along the borders with China and Pakistan.
o Deployment of Barak-8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAM), $2.5 Billion deal signed in 2017 with Israel, now actively guarding frontline bases like Bhatinda.
o Indigenous Akash missile batteries and DRDO-developed counter-drone systems.
o Man Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS) to jam and disable hostile UAVs installed in 2024.
The Rise of Indian Tech in Modern Warfare
- Operation Sindoor also marked the combat debut of loitering munitions— suicidal drones ordered in 2021 and manufactured in India. These drones executed simultaneous, precision strikes across sectors, taking Pakistan’s defences by complete surprise.
- Additionally, Israeli-origin Harop drones—now locally built—were deployed to target and destroy air defence assets in Karachi and Lahore. These platforms, combined with the strategic deployment of Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP and HAMMER missiles, demonstrated India’s capability to project power with surgical precision.
Airspace, Secured. Reputation, Reinforced
- The Modi government’s approach to defence has not been about flashy one-offs—it has been about building a resilient, multi-layered ecosystem. India today operates a tech-driven airspace defence network capable of detecting, jamming, and eliminating threats before they breach.
- Operation Sindoor sent a clear message: India is not just capable of defending its skies—it now controls them.
