SOURCE: AFI
In a resounding testament to India’s military prowess and technological self-reliance, Operation Sindoor has emerged as a defining moment in modern warfare, decisively debunking the notion of drone supremacy. Launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the operation showcased the Indian Armed Forces’ ability to neutralize advanced aerial threats with unparalleled precision.
A senior Army Air Defence (AAD) officer encapsulated this triumph, stating, “The operation not only safeguarded vital military and civilian infrastructure but also shattered the myth of drone supremacy. It has shown that Indian boots on the ground, backed by indigenous technology and rigorous training, can defend the skies with unmatched precision.” This article explores how Operation Sindoor redefined air defense, leveraging India’s homegrown systems and rigorous training to counter Pakistan’s drone offensive.
Operation Sindoor was a calibrated military response to Pakistan-backed terrorism, targeting nine high-value terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Executed with precision strikes by Rafale jets, BrahMos missiles, SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER bombs, and indigenous loitering munitions, the operation destroyed terrorist infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan retaliated with a barrage of over 1,000 drones, including armed swarms and Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Chinese-origin models, aimed at overwhelming India’s air defense grid, gathering intelligence, and targeting military and civilian infrastructure.
Pakistan’s strategy relied on the perceived invincibility of drone swarms, expecting to exploit their low radar signatures and sheer numbers to penetrate Indian defenses. However, India’s multi-layered air defense network, bolstered by indigenous technology and seamless inter-service coordination, turned this strategy into a spectacular failure. Over 600 Pakistani drones were neutralized, and the rest were repelled, with no significant damage to Indian assets.
The senior AAD officer’s assertion that Operation Sindoor “shattered the myth of drone supremacy” reflects India’s ability to counter one of the most hyped technologies in modern warfare. Drones, often touted as game-changers due to their affordability, stealth, and versatility, were rendered ineffective against India’s robust defenses. The operation demonstrated that advanced air defense systems, combined with human expertise and strategic foresight, can decisively counter drone threats.
India’s success hinged on a meticulously crafted air defense architecture, described as a “200-km-wide protective dome” stretching from the International Border inward. This multi-layered grid integrated legacy systems like L-70 anti-aircraft guns, ZU-23mm twin-barrel guns, and upgraded Schilka systems with modern indigenous platforms such as the Akash missile system and Akashteer air defense control and reporting system. The Indian Army deployed over 1,000 air defense gun systems and 750 short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, plugged into a network of radars, transforming from a peacetime posture to full operational readiness in record time.
The Akashteer system, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), played a pivotal role by providing real-time situational awareness and command-and-control capabilities. Integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), Akashteer enabled commanders to track and neutralize threats swiftly without risking friendly assets. The officer noted, “Akashteer’s digital backbone offered unmatched situational awareness and real-time command-and-control capabilities, enabling commanders to neutralize threats swiftly without risking friendly aerial platforms.”
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