India’s Tech-enabled Air Defence Triumphs in Operation Sindoor
IAF in UAE for joint drills in the desert skies—training alongside eleven friendly nations. (Image credit IAF, X)
Indian Air Force Exposes Pakistan’s Vulnerabilities
By AMIT KUMAR
New Delhi, May 9, 2025 – In a stunning display of military prowess, India’s air defence ecosystem, meticulously fortified over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, thwarted Pakistan’s retaliatory missile and drone strikes following Operation Sindoor.
The operation, which obliterated nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saw Pakistan attempt to escalate tensions by targeting Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
“Every missile and drone was intercepted or neutralized, with none reaching their intended targets, exposing the fragility of Pakistan’s air defence systems,” said a note shared with media by government representatives.
India’s response was swift and decisive. “The Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, S-400 Triumf systems, Barak-8 missiles, Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), and DRDO’s anti-drone technologies worked in unison to create an impenetrable aerial shield,” added the note.
On the offensive, Operation Sindoor saw Indian forces strike deep into Pakistan, destroying a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence unit in Lahore and crippling key radar infrastructure, showcasing India’s ability to project power with surgical precision.
A Decade of Strategic Build-Up
“This success is the result of 11 years of systematic upgrades to India’s air defence architecture. Key milestones include the ₹35,000 crore deal for five S-400 Triumf squadrons signed in 2018, with three now operational along the borders with China and Pakistan, capable of engaging threats up to 400 km away,” said the note.
It further stated that “the $2.5 billion Barak-8 Medium-Range SAM deal with Israel, signed in 2017, has bolstered frontline bases like Bhatinda, while indigenous Akash missile batteries and DRDO’s counter-drone systems, including the 2024-deployed Man Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS), have enhanced close-range defence”.
Operation Sindoor marked the combat debut of indigenously manufactured loitering munitions, ordered in 2021, said the note. “These ‘suicidal drones,’ developed in Bengaluru, executed simultaneous precision strikes, catching Pakistan’s defences off-guard,” added the note.
It also stated that “Israeli-origin Harop drones, now built locally, targeted air defence assets in Karachi and Lahore, while Rafale fighter jets, armed with SCALP cruise missiles (250 km range) and HAMMER precision-guided bombs (70 km range), delivered pinpoint strikes on terror infrastructure”.
The note also stated that the “Modi government’s defence strategy has prioritized a multi-layered, tech-driven ecosystem over flashy one-offs”.
“India’s airspace defence network now excels at detecting, jamming, and eliminating threats before they breach, integrating advanced radar systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and autonomous munitions,” added the note.
The neutralisation of Pakistan’s drone and missile barrage on May 7-8, targeting 15 military sites, underscores this capability, with debris recovered as evidence of the failed assault, said the note.
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