Akash, BrahMos, Sky Striker Drones: Made-in-India weapons that destroyed Pakistan's defences
Akash, BrahMos, Sky Striker Drones: Made-in-India weapons that destroyed Pakistan's defences
The world has witnessed the prowess of Akash, BrahMos and Sky Striker suicide drones during the recent operation against Pakistan. These weapons are milestones in India's defence sector. In the recent faceoff, these weapons have not only become the basis for breaking Pakistan's confidence, but have also raised India as a self-reliant and powerful defence power.
In recent years, India has made significant progress in the development of indigenous technology in the defence sector. Organisations such as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) manufacture world-class weapon systems. Now, India also exports defence equipment to other countries.
These weapons are known for their accuracy, speed and destructive power, and their role in the recent India-Pakistan tension was significant. Let us look at the features, importance, and role of these weapons. Akash Missile
It is India's indigenous surface-to-air missile system which is developed by DRDO. Thee is no doubt that this missile system has become the backbone of the Indian Air Force and Army. Akash Missile plays an important role in air defence.
The Akash missile is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 25-45 kms, and up to an altitude of 18,000 meters. It can destroy – fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and ballistic missiles with an accuracy of 90 percent.
Recent Performance
India's Akash missile system successfully intercepted and neutralced multiple Pakistani drone and missile attacks between May 8th and 10th, 2025. The system destroyed a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet in Srinagar, a Fateh-1 missile in Punjab, and several DJI military drones and PL-15 missiles. This successful defence highlights the Akash system's effectiveness as a crucial component of India's air Defence capabilities. BrahMos Missile
The BrahMos is built by a joint venture between India and Russia. It is considered to be the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile. This missile is used by Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. It is known for its speed, accuracy and destructive power.
The missile flies at a speed of Mach 2.8, which is about three times the speed of sound.
Its latest versions are moving towards hypersonic speeds. The Brahmos missile has a range of 290 km but in recent years its range has been increased to 900-1500 km.It can be launched from land, sea, submarine and air.
Recent performance
On May 11, 2025, India launched a series of military strikes against seven Pakistani air bases, codenamed 'Operation Sindoor'. The operation, which marked the first combat use of the BrahMos missile, reportedly caused significant damage to Pakistani airfields and infrastructure in cities including Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. Sky Striker Suicidal Drone or Kamikaze Weapon
India and Israel have collaboratively developed Sky Striker, a self-guided, kamikaze drone. This drone's key features are its precision targeting and its 'fire and forget' operational capability.
The Sky Striker drone possesses a significant loitering capability, enabling extended surveillance and precise targeting of small, high-value assets. Its payload capacity of 5-10 kg of explosives allows for effective destruction of such targets.
Recent performance
On May 7, 2025, Sky Striker drones conducted a precision operation, codenamed 'Operation Sindoor,' targeting nine terrorist facilities in Pakistan. These strikes, which included madrassas associated with Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, significantly weakened Pakistan's terrorist infrastructure and military capabilities.
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India Today
21 minutes ago
- India Today
Not just water, money too flowed from India to Pakistan as part of Indus treaty
"I have stuck my neck out to secure funds from various friendly governments," an impatient and anxious World Bank president, Eugene Black, told Indian and Pakistani negotiators in April 1959. He needed to break the impasse over the agreement over the Indus waters. Time was running out, and an agreement could not be reached for the potential Indus Waters Treaty even after eight long years of impasse ended only after India and other donor countries agreed to pay $1 billion ($10 billion today, factoring in inflation). Of this, India paid $174 million ($1.6 billion today) to paved the way for the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. Under the agreement, Pakistan was granted exclusive rights over the western rivers, the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum, while India retained unrestricted use of the eastern rivers, the Ravi, Beas, and billions of gallons of water continued flowing into Pakistan, millions of dollars also flowed from India to Pakistan for the next 10 years, as compensation for India's exclusive access to the eastern almost six decades later, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is again in the spotlight. Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India announced the suspension of the IWT. Pakistani and Pakistan-trained terrorists killed 26 civilians, mostly Delhi said Pakistan's actions violated the treaty's foundational principles of goodwill and friendship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed this stance, saying, "blood and water cannot flow together", as the treaty was kept in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ceased support for terrorism. This marked the first time since its signing in 1960 that India paused the urged India to reconsider the suspension of the pact, citing its critical role in supporting 80% of its agricultural water needs. Despite a ceasefire agreement on May 10 after a mini-war, India has kept the IWT in abeyance, with reports indicating that it will be fast-tracking projects on the western rivers to tap the suspension of the IWT came after India's patience was tested regularly by Pakistan and its gave Pakistan both water and money, but Pakistan returned the favour with this backdrop, it's worth revisiting the treaty's circumstances, how negotiations took shape, the rationale behind India's payment to Pakistan, how the payout of $174 million was arrived at through intense bargaining, and how Pakistan ultimately let India's then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, down even after the IWT was signed. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 by the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (L), and Pakistan's President Ayub Khan. (Image: World Bank) WHY WAS INDUS WATERS TREATY NEEDED?The Partition of India in 1947 split the Indus River System, which had long irrigated vast farmlands, between India (the upper riparian) and Pakistan (the lower riparian). By 1948, India's use of the river waters triggered a panic in the newly-formed Islamic Republic. An interim agreement was signed, but Pakistan said it remained 1956, as PM Nehru prepared to dedicate the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River to the nation, tensions with Pakistan escalated sharply. The risk of a war loomed."Take up Arms" and "A Black Day" were the headlines in Lahore's Urdu newspapers, noted Niranjan Das Gulhati, the chief Indian negotiator and technical advisor during the formulation of the World Bank stepped in to mediate a long-term challenge was immense: to divide a single, integrated water system between two hostile neighbours. The solution took shape in the form of the IWT, in what would become one of the most complex international water-sharing agreements. The Indus River originates in Tibet near Lake Mansarovar, flows northwest into Ladakh, then enters Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, then traverses the length of Pakistan from north to south, and drains into the Arabian Sea near Karachi. (India Today File) advertisementFORMAL PROPOSAL AND THE FIRST DEADLOCK OF INDUS WATERS TREATYNegotiations formally began in May 1952, facilitated by the World Bank. The process moved in 1952 to 1954, a working party of engineers from both countries, along with World Bank officials, developed technical proposals. In 1954, the Bank presented its formal proposal, suggesting a division: India would get exclusive use of the Eastern rivers, and Pakistan the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab).Pakistan accepted the principle but insisted on a massive replacement plan to offset the loss of Eastern river said it would not fund this entire plan, leading to a deadlock, noted Niranjan Das Gulhati in his 1973 book, Indus Waters Treaty: An Exercise in International 1955 and 1958, negotiations stalled India and Pakistan remained wasn't until 1959 that a breakthrough seemed year, officials of the World Bank (then called the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development), including its President Eugene Black and Vice President WAB Iliff, undertook intensive shuttle diplomacy between New Delhi, Karachi (Pakistan's capital until 1959), Washington DC and London. The Indus Waters Treaty negotiations spanned eight arduous years, from 1952 to 1960, involving intense mediation by the World Bank. WAB Iliff (R), as Vice-President of the World Bank, played a crucial role in mediating the treaty, and ultimately signed the agreement on behalf of his organisation. (Images: World Bank) INDIA RESISTED SHARING PAKISTAN'S FINANCIAL BURDENPakistan's demand for aid was rooted in the fact that it had lost access to the canals and their networks fed by the Eastern rivers, some of whose headworks were then laid in India. To survive agriculturally, it needed to build new infrastructure to tap the Western rivers: link canals, dams, and barrages. The estimated cost exceeded $1 World Bank began seeking contributions from major powers. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany pledged funds. But the treaty couldn't move forward unless India, gaining exclusive rights over the Eastern rivers, also agreed to initially the World Bank argued that India was benefiting by securing exclusive rights and therefore should bear part of the replacement cost. The Bank also made it clear that without India's contribution, the treaty would collapse. Camels on a dry riverbed of the Indus River in central Sindh. Pakistan depends on the Indus Basin for nearly 80% of its agricultural water needs, making it the lifeline of the country's farming and food security. (Image: Reuters) WHY PAKISTAN WANTED MONEY AFTER INDUS WATERS TREATY?In May 1959, Iliff told Gulhati, India's chief negotiator, that Eugene Black had put his credibility on the line, saying, "A stage has been reached. If the negotiations are to break down, I should know immediately; otherwise my reputation with these governments would be at stake".The World Bank secured commitments from friendly nations based on India's assumed participation. If India refused to pay, the deal would fall apart."Before I left Washington in the third week of April, Iliff told me that, in New Delhi, Black would propose to the Prime Minister [Nehru] that India should pay $250 million as her contribution towards the cost of works to be built in Pakistan. I said that this was much too high a figure," Niranjan Das Gulhati wrote."However, the horse-trading in New Delhi was to be limited to the range of $158 million, which sum we considered fair, and $250 million, which Iliff regarded as a fair deal. Pakistan was hardly concerned as the Bank was undertaking to underwrite the entire cost of her works from assistance by friendly countries," he closed doors, Iliff and Indian officials, including then Finance Secretary, BK Nehru, debated the numbers. After much back and forth, they settled on $174.8 million (62.06 million pound).India would pay 10 equal annual instalments into the Indus Basin Development Fund, managed by the World Bank, until 1970. The fund financed Pakistan's massive infrastructure projects like the Mangla Dam and various link contribution was earmarked specifically for Pakistan's "replacement works" under the Indus Basin Development Contributions to Indus Basin Development Fund (1960)ContributorFinal Contribution (Approx.)United States$315 millionWorld Bank (IDA & Loan)$250 millionUnited Kingdom$90 millionCanada$70 millionAustralia$20 millionGermany (West Germany)$12 millionNew Zealand$6 millionIndia83 crore (approx $62 million)Pakistan (self-financed)$100 million (approx)Total Estimated CostOver $1 billionPAKISTAN REMAINS HOSTILITIE DESPITE INDUS WATERS TREATYWith the finances sorted, the treaty was finally signed on September 19, Nehru and Pakistan's President General Ayub Khan formalised the agreement in Karachi. World Bank Vice-President WAB Iliff signed it on behalf of his idealist in Nehru hoped that this IWT would usher in a new chapter in India-Pakistan relations. He believed that resolving this vital issue could pave the way for cooperation on other issues, including just months later, Gulhati, in his book, recalled Nehru telling him: "I had hoped that this agreement would open the way to settlement of other problems, but we are where we were".Four years after signing the IWT, in 1964, Pakistan's replacement works exceeded initial estimates. A supplementary agreement was signed to raise additional funds from donor countries. India did not pay again, as its financial obligation had already been fulfilled under the terms of the original treaty in the massive diplomatic and financial effort India put into the IWT, Pakistan continued to challenge and bleed India on several fronts. The Pahalgam attack was the latest of Pakistan's five years after the IWT was signed, Pakistan dragged India into a war after it infiltrated Kashmir and parts of spirit of goodwill that Nehru hoped the treaty would foster quickly retrospect, while the Indus Waters Treaty is still hailed globally as a successful case of water diplomacy, it came at a high cost for India, not just in terms of water allocation, but also in hard just with money, India paid with goodwill and trust too, only for Pakistan to repeatedly betray it. This very pattern of Pakistan's behaviour is what the Narendra Modi-led government, by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, has now attempted to InMust Watch
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First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
Sharif punches holes in Pakistan's 'victory' claim, Munir worries about water
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif admitted that India's BrahMos missile strikes on May 10 hit multiple airbases, including Rawalpindi, before the Pakistani military could respond. Sharif said Army Chief Asim Munir informed him around 2:30 am that Indian missiles had struck Nur Khan Airbase and other sites read more Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the Pakistani military forces were caught off guard when India attacked various airbases throughout the nation on the intervening night of May 9-10. Sharif claimed that the Pakistani Army planned to begin strikes on India on May 10 after morning prayers, but Indian BrahMos missiles rained down before that, causing damage to the air bases. During an appearance in Azerbaijan, Sharif confirmed that the Rawalpindi airfield was one among the sites targeted by India with the BrahMos missile. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'On the night of May 9-10, we decided to respond in a measured fashion to Indian aggression. Our armed forces were prepared to act at 4.30 in the morning after Fajr prayers to teach a lesson. But before that hour even arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using BrahMos, targeting various provinces of Pakistan, including the airport in Rawalpindi,' Sharif said during his speech in Lachin. Sharif went on to say that he was told of the strikes by Army Chief Asim Munir, who has since been appointed to Field Marshal. This is the second time Sharif has highlighted the significance of India's retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airbases. Speaking to an audience in Pakistan earlier this month, Sharif disclosed that Gen Munir told him about the May 10 attack on the Nur Khan Air Base and other key targets around 2:30 am. On Thursday, Gen Munir claimed that Islamabad will never compromise on the water issue since it is linked to the fundamental rights of the country's 240 million people. According to the army, he made the comments while speaking with vice-chancellors from numerous universities, administrators, and top instructors and educators. 'Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony,' he told reporters. 'Water is Pakistan's red line, and we will not allow any compromise on this basic right of 240 million Pakistanis,' he stated, alluding to India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty following the Pahalgam terror assault. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Munir further alleged that India supported terrorists in Balochistan, and that militants participating in the province's instability had ties to the Balochs. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives. India carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. It was followed by Pakistan's attempt to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No country backed India': Congress says BJP's 'foreign policy failed' post-Operation Sindoor
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government over its handling of foreign affairs in the wake of , accusing it of diplomatic failure and a compromised stance on national security. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "The result of our failed foreign policy was seen post-Pahalgam, during Operation Sindoor. No country called Pakistan a terrorist state; this is the result of your failed foreign policy. Then you launched Operation Sindoor and no country gave a statement in your favour. Now, after Operation Sindoor, Kuwait has lifted visa restrictions on Pakistan. Iran, UAE, and Gulf countries are signing MoUs with Pakistan, and the most shocking thing is that yesterday, Russia signed an MoU with Pakistan to revive its very old steel mill, under which Pakistan will get $2.6 billion from Russia. .. This is the result of your failed foreign policy..." Meanwhile, Congress MP , part of an all-party delegation to Colombia, expressed disappointment over the Colombian government's condolences for those killed in Pakistan after India's May 7 counterstrike, saying, 'There can be no equivalence between those who attack and those who defend.' He said India acted in self-defence following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. 'We were only exercising our right of self-defence,' he added. Tharoor also highlighted Pakistan's support for terrorists and showed images of uniformed Pakistani officials attending terrorist funerals. 'That is the extent of complicity…,' he said, stressing India's resolve through Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan and PoK. The opposition's criticism comes amid a series of political confrontations following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public address in Gujarat, where he said Operation Sindoor was documented on camera to ensure "no one at home asks for proof." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Also read: PM Modi declared, "Until now, what we used to call a proxy war, after the scenes witnessed post-May 6, we can no longer make the mistake of calling it a proxy war." He added that the terrorists targeted in the strikes were given military honours in Pakistan, indicating direct state involvement. Responding to the Prime Minister's remarks, Congress questioned why top terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar were not neutralised. "To date, we have not received an answer to that – What happened to the terrorists of Poonch, Ganderbal, Gulmarg and Pahalgam?... How did Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar escape?" asked Khera, further alleging that "this government has outsourced the entire politics, political discourse, foreign policy to trolls." Earlier, Rahul Gandhi also accused the Centre of tipping off Pakistan before the strikes. Sharing an old video of external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Gandhi wrote on May 17, "Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it." He followed up on May 27 with another post asking, "How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew?" The ministry of external affairs (MEA) denied Gandhi's claims, calling them a 'misrepresentation of facts.' The ministry clarified that Pakistan was warned 'in the early phase after Operation Sindoor's commencement,' not before the operation began. The controversy was further fuelled by US President Donald Trump's comments, referenced by Congress, that he had mediated ceasefire talks between India and Pakistan. Khera described this as "a very dangerous comment,' and said, 'sindoor ka sauda hota raha aur pradhan mantri chup rahe,' implying secret negotiations during the operation. Also read:
