From Drones To Akash Air Missile System: India’s Technological Self-Reliance During Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor is not just a story of tactical success, but it is a validation of India’s defence indigenisation policies. India's attack on nine terrorist bases in Pakistan, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, and the conflict that ensued, served as a grim example of this shift.

Without 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.

From air defence systems to drones, to counter-UAS capabilities to net-centric warfare platforms, Operation Sindoor marks a milestone in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations.

India’s Air Defence Systems, combining assets primarily from the Air Force, and the Army and Navy, performed with exceptional synergy.

The Integrated Air Command and Control System or IACCS of the Indian Air Force brought all these elements together, providing the net-centric operational capability vital for modern warfare.

On the night of May 7 and 8, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military 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 Unmanned Aerial Systems or UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.

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 also neutralised.

As part of Operation Sindoor, the following were used:

• Battle-proven AD (Air Defence) systems like the Pechora, OSA-AK and LLAD guns (Low-level air defence guns).

• Indigenous systems such as the Akash—a Short Range Surface to Air Missile system that can simultaneously engage multiple targets in group mode or autonomous mode—demonstrated stellar performance.

India's retaliatory strikes targeted key Pakistani airbases—Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan with surgical precision. Loitering munitions 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.

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.

A unique blend of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems, electronic warfare assets, and air defence weapons from both Army and Air Force were also part of defence measures. These were:

1. Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems.

2. Shoulder-fired weapons.

3. Legacy air defence weapons.

4. Modern air defence weapon systems.

This multi-tier defence prevented Pakistan Air Force's attacks on Indian airfields and logistic installations during the night of May 9-10. They played a crucial role in ensuring that both civilian and military infrastructure across India remained largely unaffected during enemy retaliation attempts.

Operation Sindoor also produced concrete evidence of hostile technologies neutralised by Indian systems. These include: pieces of PL-15 missiles (of Chinese origin), Turkish-origin UAVs, named "Yiha" or "YEEHAW" or long-range rockets, quadcopters and commercial drones.

These were recovered and identified, showing that despite Pakistan's attempts to exploit advanced foreign-supplied weaponry, India’s indigenous air defence and electronic warfare networks remained superior.

At least 10 satellites are continuously working round-the-clock for the strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the country, mentioned ISRO Chairman V Narayanan at an event on May 11.

To ensure the safety of the country, the nation has to serve through its satellites. It has to monitor its 7,000 km seashore areas. It has to monitor the entire Northern part continuously. Without satellite and drone technology, the country can’t achieve that.