'Operation Sindoor called, and we delivered': Gautam Adani on Adani Defence's role in India's counterstrike
Adani AGM 2025: Gautam Adani, speaking at the 2025 AGM, revealed that Adani Defence's drones and anti-drone systems played a frontline role in Operation Sindoor. The company's loitering munitions conducted precision strikes while its counter-drone units protected Indian troops from retaliatory threats. Calling the moment a demonstration of 'where India needs us the most,' Adani paid tribute to soldiers and highlighted India's resolve. The remarks come amid a wider defence push, with public-private partnerships accelerating India's indigenous military capabilities.
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India's answer to terror came from the sky
SkyStriker: Kamikaze drones took aim
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Anti-drone shield: Adani's second frontline role
During his address at the Adani Group 's 2025 Annual General Meeting, Chairman Gautam Adani had a firm message on the company's role in India's most recent military operation. 'When it comes to Adani Defence Operation Sindoor called, and we delivered. Our drones became the eyes in the skies as well as the swords of attack, and our anti-drone systems helped protect our forces and citizens. As I have always believed – we don't operate in safe zones. We operate where it matters – where India needs us the most,' said Gautam Adani.He continued by acknowledging the armed forces and the cost of peace.'Humbled by the silent sacrifices of those who guard our borders, our families and our dignity. This year, during Operation Sindoor, our brave men and women in uniform stood tall. Not for fame, not for medals, but for duty. Their courage reminded us that peace is never free. It is earned. And the freedom to dream, to build, and to lead stands firmly on the shoulders of those who protect.'He concluded with a reference to national resolve.'Operation Sindoor showed that India values peace, but if someone shows us an eye, we know how to respond in their language.'His comments marked the first formal acknowledgement of the scale of Adani's involvement in India's cross-border military response.The operation, known by its codename 'Sindoor,' was launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, which took place in an area often called "mini Switzerland," killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-based terror outfits for the assault, a claim Pakistan denied.On 7 May, India launched precision strikes against nine identified terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The targets included facilities linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.Indian officials said the strikes were calculated and carefully confined. 'Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted,' they said.Among the most significant assets in the operation were SkyStriker kamikaze drones. Co-developed by Adani Group's Alpha Design Technologies and Israel's Elbit Security Systems, these drones are designed to loiter over targets before striking with precision, as reported by NDTV.Electric-powered and with a low acoustic signature, SkyStrikers carried warheads of 5 or 10 kilograms. They were launched from Indian soil and guided by intelligence-fed coordinates to strike terrorist infrastructure.These drones were produced at a facility in western Bengaluru through the Alpha Design–Elbit collaboration.The second key role played by Adani Defence during Operation Sindoor was defensive.As Pakistan responded with drone and munition attacks, Indian forces deployed a vehicle-mounted counter-drone system developed by Adani. This platform—unveiled at Aero India 2025—can automatically detect, classify, and neutralise hostile drones using advanced sensors.Officials said it offered both precision and agility, allowing for real-time battlefield response. The anti-drone system helped shield Indian troops and critical locations.India Builds Its Own EdgeAccording to The Indian Express, India's anti-drone systems have quickly matured.'Induction of the system into the services has been one of the fastest. DRDO is now developing the GenNex anti-drone system aimed at enhancing detection range, processing speed, and kill accuracy. Once developed, it would be the third country to possess the technology,' sources said.Currently, only the United States and Israel have demonstrated full operational capability in this area. India is now moving toward joining that list, powered by collaboration between DRDO and private firms like Adani Defence and Larsen & Toubro While over 100 companies globally are developing counter-drone systems, few have achieved battlefield reliability.Sources within the Indian military described the strikes as 'hell on fire'—a clear break from past restraint.India's use of drones for both offence and defence signals a shift in strategic posture. From relying on imported platforms to deploying homegrown systems, the country's approach to conflict response is evolving fast.Adani's remarks reflect that transformation. The company's role in Operation Sindoor is not just about hardware—it's about the new reality of Indian defence. A reality where the private sector no longer stands behind the curtain, but at the frontline.
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