Operation Sindoor & Beyond: How Missiles Are Shaping 21st Century Combat Around The World

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Missiles can strike deep into enemy territory without the need to deploy soldiers or aircraft, minimising collateral damage
In the 21st-century theatre of war, missiles have become the new shock troops—fast, accurate, and terrifyingly effective. From hypersonic gliders that travel faster than Mach 10 to stealthy cruise missiles that weave through enemy radar like phantoms, today's missile systems are rewriting the rules of engagement across land, sea, and air.
Recently, missiles hit headlines—and targets—when India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack and pounded nine terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
One of the key missile systems India used in the face-off with Pakistan was the SCALP Cruise Missile, a long-range, air-launched cruise missile with a range exceeding 250 kilometers. It is designed for deep-strike missions against high-value, stationary targets such as bunkers and command centers. The missile's stealth capabilities allow it to penetrate sophisticated air defence systems, making it ideal for such operations.
The country also deployed the HAMMER Precision-Guided Munition, a modular, air-to-ground weapon with a range of 50-70 kilometers. It supports GPS, infrared, or laser guidance, allowing it to accurately strike both stationary and moving targets. Its versatility makes it suitable for targeting various types of terrorist infrastructure.
Loitering Munitions (Kamikaze Drones), precision weapons that hover over the target area before striking, further solidified India's arsenal. They can act autonomously or be remotely controlled, providing real-time surveillance and strike capabilities. In Operation Sindoor, loitering munitions were used to monitor and identify targets, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of the missile strikes.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), especially those with nuclear warheads, serve as the backbone of nuclear deterrence. Nations like the US, Russia, and China maintain missile arsenals not to fight—but to prevent wars from starting.
Also, a single cruise missile can disable an airbase, command center, or radar installation—disrupting entire enemy operations. Missiles allow smaller forces to punch above their weight and neutralise threats before they escalate.
Modern missiles are launched from land vehicles, submarines, ships, and aircraft. Systems like the BrahMos, Kalibr, or Tomahawk can be re-targeted mid-flight, giving commanders flexibility in dynamic combat environments.
To add to this, hypersonic missiles—traveling at speeds above Mach 5—are nearly impossible to intercept with current air defence systems. They compress decision time to seconds, making them game-changers for preemptive or retaliatory strikes.
EYE ON OTHER COUNTRIES
United States has the largest and most diverse missile arsenal globally, leading in precision cruise missiles (Tomahawk), ICBMs (Minuteman III), and air defence systems (Patriot, THAAD). Some of the key systems employed by US include Tomahawk cruise missile, Minuteman III ICBM, Patriot and THAAD SAM systems, and JASSM-ER (stealthy air-launched cruise missile).
Next on the list is Russia, which has very powerful strategic nuclear missile force (RS-28 Sarmat ICBM, Topol-M); advanced air defence (S-400, S-500 in development); hypersonic glide vehicles (Avangard, Kinzhal); and versatile and powerful anti-ship and cruise missiles.
Russia's key systems include RS-28 Sarmat ICBM, S-400 Triumf air defense system, Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile, and Kalibr cruise missile.
US and Russia are followed by China, which is rapidly modernising missile forces, including long-range ICBMs (DF-41). China has a growing hypersonic missile technology and a large arsenal of short and medium-range ballistic missiles for regional dominance.
Its key systems include DF-41 ICBM, DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle, HQ-9 SAM system, and YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missile.
India is not far behind on the list. It has growing strategic missile capabilities (Agni series ICBMs) and the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile (BrahMos). Apart from this, it is developing versatile missile defence systems and increasing indigenous missile production and development.
Some of India's key systems include Agni-V ICBM, BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Prithvi series ballistic missiles, and Barak 8 air defense system (joint with Israel).
Fifth on the list is Israel that has cutting-edge missile defence systems (Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow); advanced precision loitering munitions and cruise missiles; as well as a highly integrated multi-layer missile defence network.
Key Systems include Iron Dome (short-range defence), David's Sling (medium-range defence), arrow missile system (long-range ballistic missile defence), and Harop loitering munition.
France and UK, meanwhile, have advanced cruise missiles (SCALP/Storm Shadow), strong strategic deterrent with submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and integration of modern missile systems with NATO allies. Their key systems are SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missile, M51 SLBM (France), and Trident SLBM (UK).
WHAT CAN INDIA DO BETTER?
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India is already on a strong trajectory, but certain improvements could make its missile programme even more formidable and future-ready.
The country could invest more in DRDO and private partnerships, develop hypersonic cruise and glide missiles, build multi-layered defences and advanced interceptors, extend missile ranges and develop modular payloads, diversify air, sea, and land-launched missiles, increase testing frequency and simulation capabilities, enhance electronic warfare resistance and stealth features, and promote exports to improve technology and economies of scale.
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tags :
Operation Sindoor Pahalgam attack
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 05, 2025, 15:34 IST
News explainers Operation Sindoor & Beyond: How Missiles Are Shaping 21st Century Combat Around The World