SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant move to strengthen its military capabilities, the Indian Ministry of Defence has authorized the armed forces to replenish their inventory with advanced long-range loitering munitions, artillery shells, kamikaze drones, and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. This decision follows the critical role played by these precision weapons in recent military operations, notably Operation Sindoor, which targeted Pakistani military installations, according to a report by Hindustan Times.
The operation showcased India’s growing prowess in unmanned warfare, with long-range loitering munitions penetrating Pakistani airspace and neutralizing key assets, including a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 missile launcher and several Pakistan Air Force (PAF) radars.
Loitering munitions, often referred to as “kamikaze drones,” combine the features of drones and missiles, offering unparalleled flexibility in modern warfare. These weapons can hover over a target area for extended periods, identify targets using onboard sensors, and strike with precision, either autonomously or under human control. Their ability to loiter allows for real-time target selection, making them ideal for engaging high-value assets like radars and command centers. The Harop, used extensively in Operation Sindoor, is designed for Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) roles, capable of operating for up to nine hours in contested environments.
The success of these munitions in penetrating Pakistani airspace and neutralizing advanced systems like the HQ-9 and HQ-16 has underscored their strategic importance. The HQ-9, a long-range surface-to-air missile system, and the HQ-16, a medium-range system, are critical components of Pakistan’s layered air defense network. Their destruction, as reported by India Today and Hindustan Times, exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied defenses, raising questions about their efficacy against India’s advanced tactics.
Following the success of Operation Sindoor, posts on X on June 8, 2025, reported that the Indian Ministry of Defence has greenlit the restocking of longer-range loitering munitions and other advanced weaponry to ensure superiority over Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied arsenal. The replenishment includes kamikaze drones and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles designed to out-range Chinese missiles like the PL-15, which Pakistan deployed during the conflict. This move aims to enhance India’s ability to conduct precision strikes without risking manned aircraft, a tactic that proved effective in the recent clashes.
The authorization to restock long-range loitering munitions marks a pivotal step in India’s defense modernization. The success of Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the transformative potential of unmanned systems in modern warfare, reducing the need for manned incursions and enabling precise, stand-off strikes. As India continues to enhance its arsenal, the focus on longer-range, more lethal munitions will ensure it maintains a strategic advantage in the volatile South Asian region.
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