How Op Sindoor exposed Pakistan air defence, Chinese armaments

India Today

a day ago

India's decisive strategic and operational triumph in Operation Sindoor has laid bare critical weaknesses in Pakistan's military, which is heavily reliant on Chinese-supplied technology. A month after the conflict, which ended with Pakistan seeking a ceasefire within four days, a critical review of the operation has highlighted the inadequacy of Pakistan's air defence systems, particularly the Chinese-made HQ-9 and HQ-16, against India's advanced missile technology and electronic warfare capabilities.Military observers claim Pakistan's $3 million-per-unit HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system, touted as a cornerstone of its air defence, failed miserably to detect or intercept India's BrahMos and SCALP missiles.advertisementChinese defence analysts and social media lambasted Pakistani personnel as 'mute spectators', pointing to operational inefficiencies and lack of skill as key contributors to the debacle.Analysis also established that Indian forces, leveraging superior missile technology, satellite intelligence and electronic warfare, penetrated Pakistan's defences with ease, targeting key military installations. Indian loitering munitions humiliated Pakistan's air defence network by destroying several HQ-9 batteries, exacerbating losses of fighter jets, surveillance aircraft, drones and radar sites
On May 15, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) admitted that the BrahMos missile's unpredictable trajectory rendered it nearly impossible to intercept, a statement echoed by Chinese Communist Party outlets. The HQ-9's failure stemmed from technical limitations, poor integration into Pakistan's defence network and inadequate operator training.Chinese analysts have criticised Pakistan's deployment of the HQ-9 air defence system, citing inadequate training, poor network integration, and lack of real-time coordination as key factors in its failure. The HQ-9's design, influenced by older Russian systems like the S-300, has raised concerns about its reliability against modern, high-speed missiles.advertisementDespite upgrades, the system underperformed against Indian missile technology, sparking doubts about Chinese defence exports' credibility and the HQ-9's effectiveness in high-intensity conflicts.This critique highlights the challenges of deploying advanced defence systems, particularly when training and integration are inadequate. The HQ-9's performance has implications for China's defence export reputation and the system's viability in modern warfare scenarios.The HQ-9B, with a reduced engagement range of 250-300 km, and the truck-mounted HQ-16, with limited mobility, proved ill-equipped to counter supersonic, low-flying missiles like the BrahMos. These shortcomings echo past failures, including India's unopposed 2019 Balakot airstrike and a 2022 incident where a BrahMos missile, accidentally fired by India, penetrated deep into Pakistani territory undetected.Operation Sindoor also saw India's air defence systems and electronic warfare capabilities neutralise Pakistan's drone fleet, crippling its offensive and surveillance operations. In response, Pakistan is planning to bolster its drone arsenal with Chinese Wing Loong series combat drones, aiming to establish a dedicated drone brigade.Stung by the defeat, Pakistan is aggressively pursuing military modernisation, doubling down on Chinese and Turkish technology while diversifying with a $9 billion arms deal with Russia. The proposed Russian package includes tanks, air defence systems, warships, Mi-26T2 combat helicopters, and possibly MiG-35 fighter jets.advertisementPakistan is also set to acquire China's HQ-19 ballistic missile defence system and 40 J-35A stealth fighters starting 2026, alongside efforts to improve operator training and coordination to address multi-layered threats.The HQ-9's dismal performance has not only exposed Pakistan's operational deficiencies but also dented China's reputation as a reliable arms exporter. Modelled partly on Russia's S-300, the HQ-9 and its variants have been questioned for their effectiveness against modern, high-speed, precision-guided missiles, raising doubts about their reliability in high-intensity conflicts.India's dominance in Operation Sindoor underscores its technological and strategic edge even as Pakistan scrambles to rebuild its shattered defences. The conflict serves as a warning to nations relying on Chinese military hardware as India's advanced capabilities continue to reshape the regional power balance.Subscribe to India Today MagazineTune InMust Watch