Operation Sindoor: Indigenous systems gave India the edge, more needs to be done

First Post

26-05-2025

Operation Sindoor emerged as a calibrated military response to an evolving pattern of Pakistan's asymmetric warfare, one that increasingly targeted unarmed civilians along with military personnel. The terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam in April 2025 served as a grim reminder of this shift. India's response was deliberate, precise, and strategic.
Without physically crossing the Line of Control or international boundary, Indian forces struck terrorist infrastructure and eliminated multiple threats. However, beyond tactical brilliance, what stood out was the seamless integration of indigenous hi-tech systems into national defence.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Whether in drone warfare, layered air defence, or electronic warfare, Operation Sindoor marks a milestone in India's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations.
Op Sindoor saw India dominate the entire spectrum of conflict domains. While we salute the outstanding performance of Indian armed forces, a lot of credit must also go to the scientists and the indigenous defence industry for the stellar performance and effectiveness demonstrated by India's indigenous defence systems. India produced systems, and technologies got engaged in live conflict settings. Indian radars, missiles, air defence systems, drones, counter-UAS technologies, and net-centric warfare systems made us strong and proud.
Air Defence Systems
On the night of May 7-8, 2025, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military and civilian targets in Northern and Western India, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and air defence (AD) systems.
AD systems detect, track, and neutralise threats using a network of radars, control centres, artillery, and both aircraft and ground-based missiles. The operation involved multi-layered air defence systems, which included the Russian S-400 multi-domain AD system and the short-range Pechora and OSA-AK AD systems. Many batteries of the Israeli SPYDER-MRs using Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles (SAM) were involved. A much larger complement of Indian AD guns to counter drones, short-range and medium-range SAMs like Akash and MRSAM (India-Israel) made engagements.
Akash AD System
Akash is an indigenous medium-range, mobile SAM system developed by India's DRDO for the Indian Army and the Air Force. The missile systems are produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Surveillance and fire control radar, the Tactical Command and Control Centre and missile launchers are developed by BEL, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Akash missile system can target aircraft up to 45 km away. It can neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles. A typical battery comprises a 3D radar and many launchers and can track up to 64 targets and attack up to 12 of them. It is meant to protect vulnerable areas (VA) and vulnerable points (VP) from air attacks. It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features. The entire weapon system has been configured on mobile platforms.
AFNET and IACCS
The Air Force Network (AFNet) has been developed by the IAF in collaboration with HCL Technologies and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). It is meant to improve secure communications and coordination within the IAF and other military and strategic institutions. IAF was the first to complete this gigabyte digital information grid. AFNet was later connected and extended to a unified digital grid encompassing all three armed forces. AFNet incorporates the latest traffic transportation technologies and facilitates robust, high-quality voice, video and conferencing solutions.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) brought together AD assets also of the Army and Navy to create a synergised comprehensive situational awareness (SA) and close command and control of all AD assets. This meant coordinated offensive and defensive action between fighter aircraft, long- and short-range AD missiles, and close-in weapon systems (CIWS) such as AD guns and man-portable AD systems (MANPADS).
These highly computerised AI-supported systems were used to assign targets through ideal weapon solutions and allowed greater freedom to various weapon platforms while yet preventing physical and electronic fratricide. India's AD Systems performed with exceptional synergy. These systems created an impenetrable wall, foiling multiple attempts by Pakistan to retaliate.
The IACCS is an indigenous automated command and control system of the IAF designed to integrate data from various air defence assets, including ground and airborne radars and communication nodes. It helps in real-time threat detection, identification, and response. It rides on the secure AFNET with high levels of redundancy. It provides a comprehensive and real-time view of the airspace, enabling commanders to take quick, informed decisions. It facilitates central command and decentralised execution of air operations, improving coordination and responsiveness. It helps in effective airspace management by providing a consolidated view of the air domain.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
IACCS is developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector defence electronics company. IACCS enhances India's air defence capabilities by providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to both offensive and defensive air operations. IACCS played a key role in coordinating the defence network during Operation Sindoor.
Akashteer
Akashteer is an Indian AD Control & Reporting System developed by BEL, equipping the units of the Indian Army's Corps of Army Air Defence with a tactical command and control system, thereby improving their capabilities. This technology allows for monitoring of low-level airspace in battle areas and efficient control of Ground-Based Air Defence Weapon Systems. The Akashteer system combined with the IAF sensors and civilian radars through the IACCS supports the Joint Air Defence Centre (JADC). The IAF is in overall control of the JADC. The Akashteer system was a part of India's Air Defence Network during Operation Sindoor, where the system effectively foiled multiple of Pakistan's drone and missile attacks. It was reported that it 'struck down every drone with a near 100 per cent kill rate'.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Indian Air Strikes
India struck 14 terror targets at 9 locations in the early hours of 07 May with high precision using aerial missiles and loitering munitions (LM) with high precision. On the morning of May 8, the Indian Armed Forces targeted air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. An air defence system at Lahore was neutralised.
Later India's offensive strikes targeted nearly 16 military installations, including many airfields, AD systems, ammunition storage and command and control centres with surgical precision. Loitering munitions (LM), also known as 'suicide drones' or 'kamikaze drones', were used to devastating effect, each finding and destroying high-value targets, including enemy radar and missile systems. The LMs included the larger, long-endurance, high-precision Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Harop.
All strikes were executed without loss of Indian assets, underscoring the effectiveness of our surveillance, planning, and delivery systems. The use of modern indigenous technology, from long-range drones to guided munitions, made these strikes highly effective and politically calibrated. IAF bypassed and jammed Pakistan's Chinese-supplied air defence systems, completing the mission in just 23 minutes, demonstrating India's technological edge.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Drones and Loitering Munitions
Several Indian companies are key players in the manufacturing of military UAVs and drones, including IdeaForge, Garuda Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Adani Defence & Aerospace, and Zen Technologies. Other notable manufacturers include Asteria Aerospace, Throttle Aerospace Systems, and Paras Defence and Space Technologies. The Indian Army has reportedly procured Warmate loitering munitions from Polish firm WB Electronics for use in high-altitude areas like Ladakh and cross-border operations. Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies, in partnership with Israel's Elbit Systems, manufactures SkyStriker low-cost but very effective long-range precision-strike LMs. Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited has a 26 per cent stake in Alpha Design Technologies.
IdeaForge's drones, particularly the SWITCH MINI and NETRA V2, are increasingly being used by the Indian armed forces for various purposes, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and border security. Garuda Aerospace has a variety of drones for various defence and military applications for tasks like surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics, search and rescue, and even for specialised operations like armed tactical operations, anti-drones, land mine detection and firefighting.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Adani Defence & Aerospace makes the Hermes 900 and 450 in a joint venture with Elbit Systems of Israel. Larsen & Toubro multinational conglomerate, has also worked on a number of drone-related projects to support the Indian armed forces. HAL is working on Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) solutions and building an AI-powered, multimodal drone designed for strategic missions at high altitudes and over long distances. BEL has a range of drones that covers surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs, combat drones for tactical defence, as well as tethered drones for continuous monitoring. It also offers military-grade drone-based services for intelligence gathering, logistics and defence operations.
NewSpace Research and Technologies is supplying a variety of drones and drone swarms to armed forces. They are also working on MUM-T with HAL. Zen Technologies is a company that develops and supplies anti-drone systems and training solutions to the Indian armed forces and other security agencies. Veda Aeronautics have also supplied medium-range jet-powered kamikaze drones. The other players include Hyderabad-based HC Robotics, Asteria Aerospace, Throttle Aerospace Systems, Paras Defence and Space Technologies, and Dhaksha Unmanned Systems. America's largest drone manufacturer, Skydio, partnered with Indian drone company Aeroarc in 2024 to jointly manufacture military defence fleets for better situational awareness within tactical operations or relaying information to first responders from a bird's-eye view.
BrahMos Missiles
The BrahMos missiles were reportedly extensively used in Op Sindoor. The BrahMos is a long-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from land, submarines, ships, and fighter aircraft. It is a joint venture between India's DRDO and the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, which together have formed BrahMos Aerospace. India holds a 50.5 per cent share of the joint venture. 75 per cent of the missile is manufactured in India, and there are plans to increase this to 85 per cent.
Large numbers of land-launched, ship-launched as well as air-launched versions have been inducted and are in service of the Indian armed forces. In 2016, after India became a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), India and Russia gradually increased the range of the missile to 800 km.
This solid propellant missile can carry a 200–300 kg warhead that could be nuclear or conventional semi-armour-piercing. Currently missile speed is Mach 3. Later variants will be hypersonic (M 5+). The missile is very accurate with a CEP of less than one metre. The air-launched variant BrahMos-A weighs 2.55 tonnes. It has a range of 500 km when launched from the Su-30 MKI, which can carry only one BrahMos missile.
Even BrahMos Block III land-attack variants are operational. There are plans to have 1500 km-plus range missiles. BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) or BrahMos-MA is a shortened version. Additionally, the BrahMos-NG will have an AESA radar rather than the current mechanically scanned one. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI will carry three missiles, while the Mikoyan MiG-29K and HAL Tejas, including the Dassault Rafale, will carry one. The BrahMos-NG will be ready by the end of 2025. BrahMos-II will be a hypersonic cruise missile. A UCAV variant is planned.
The other operator is the Philippine Marine Corps. The unit cost is around $3.5 million. The extended-range variant costs around $4.85 million. Russia too has plans to buy many missiles. Brazil has shown interest in the missile system. Vietnam and Indonesia have already signed deals.
Space-Based Indigenous Systems
India has a large number of earth observation, Cartosat, radar, electro-optical, ELINT, satellite navigation, and communication satellites, among others. In addition to civil applications, many of these support military applications and operations. Satellites provide vital information and imagery for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and have the ability to identify objects as small as 25-30 cm. India's home-grown satellite navigation system, NavIC, provided accurate positional guidance, with an accuracy of 10-20 cm. IAF's AFNET and IACCS use secure satellite communications. There are some dedicated satellites for military use. Indian satellites greatly supported operations during Op Sindoor.
Way Ahead: Boost 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in Defence
Op Sindoor demonstrated the success of India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, highlighting the country's increasing self-reliance in defence. It showcased India's military prowess and indigenous defence capabilities, putting them in the spotlight. It boosted the brand image of Indian defence equipment on a global scale.
Indian cruise missiles and loitering munitions made precise strikes on terrorists' camps without crossing the Line of Control or International Boundary. Op Sindoor also produced concrete evidence of hostile technologies such as Chinese-supplied PL-15 missiles, Pakistani indigenous cruise missiles and long-range rockets, and Turkish-origin UAVs and drones. Quadcopters and commercial drones were neutralised by Indian systems.
India's indigenous counter-unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare assets, and air defence weapons ensured multiple defensive layers from the international boundary to the hinterland. Indian multi-tier defence systems built over the last decade neutralised Pakistani attacks on our airfields and logistic installations during the night of May 9-10. Nearly 10 indigenous ISRO satellites were continuously supporting offensive and defensive operations.
While the entire world sympathised with India after the Pahalgam attacks, when it came to the conflict with Pakistan, most chose muted silence. China and Turkey openly supported Pakistan with additional supplies of military hardware. China also gave satellite ISR and communications support and cyber and electronic warfare backing. At least one, if not more, PL-15s have been recovered intact, and as such will be available for detailed analysis. What emerged clearly was that India must build its own conventional military strength and also military industrial capability.
India's defence production has grown at an extraordinary pace since the launch of the 'Make in India' initiative, reaching a record ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, with defence exports rising to an all-time high of ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024-25. India has targeted defence production of ₹3 lakh crore and exports of ₹50,000 crore by 2029. The success story of indigenisation and innovation in the defence sector was highlighted at the Aero India 2025 event 'SAMARTHYA', which showcased India's progress in defence manufacturing. The event featured 33 major indigenised items, including 24 developed by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Indian Navy, along with nine successful innovation projects from iDEX.
India continues to pursue Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN), Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs), Defence Industrial Corridors, Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), MAKE projects categorisation, Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), Liberalised Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, and Priority for Domestic Procurement, among others.
Strategic reforms and significant private sector involvement led to the development of advanced military platforms. Considering the multi-front threat, clearly more needs to be done. The development and production of LCA Mk1A, LCA Mk2, and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) need to be pushed. Also needed is to accelerate BrahMos II hypersonic missile, Astra III AAM (350 km range), and Barak-8ER SAM.
India needs a large inventory of drones and LMs. India needs indigenous Harop-class drones, even if it is through a joint venture with Israel. India may wish to procure S-500 or build S-400 in India through a JV with Russia. India must also take a fresh look at the submarine and aircraft carrier requirements. The Zorawar light tank was developed, and production may be hastened.
Lastly, all this will require funding. The world over, defence budgets are going up. India must increase its defence budget to 3.0 per cent of GDP. Also, all pensions of the central government employees should be clubbed into a separate codehead so that the defence budget may be clear for operational purposes. Time to Act is Now, lest it get too late.
The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.