Early Times Report
Jammu, May 9: In the wake of Operation Sindoor, which obliterated nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu-Kashmir (PoJK), Pakistan attempted to escalate tensions by launching missile strikes at Indian military installations across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Every single one of those missiles was intercepted or neutralised, failing to reach its intended target.
India’s rapid, coordinated response showcased the strength of its air defence ecosystem, meticulously built over the past 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The operation exposed the hollowness of Pakistan’s air defence system. The Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, S-400 Triumph systems, Barak-8 missiles, Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles, and DRDO’s anti-drone technologies worked seamlessly to create an impenetrable aerial shield.
India didn’t merely defend—it struck back with precision. Operation Sindoor saw the Indian Armed Forces penetrate deep into Pakistani territory, destroying an HQ-9 air defence unit in Lahore and crippling key radar infrastructure.
This level of preparedness was no overnight achievement. Since 2014, the Modi government has systematically upgraded India’s air defence architecture through strategic acquisitions and indigenous developments, including a Rs 35,000 crore deal for five S-400 Triumph squadrons, signed in 2018, with three now operational along the Western and Northern Borders.
The government was also involved in the deployment of Barak-8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAM), a $2.5 billion deal signed with Israel in 2017, now guarding frontline bases.
It also created Indigenous Akash missile batteries and DRDO-developed counter-drone systems.
Man-Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS), was installed in 2024, to jam and disable hostile UAVs.
Operation Sindoor marked the combat debut of loitering munitions—suicidal drones ordered in 2021 and manufactured in India. These drones executed simultaneous, precision strikes across sectors, catching Pakistan’s defences off guard. Additionally, Israeli-origin Harop drones, now locally produced, targeted and destroyed air defence assets in Karachi and Lahore. Combined with Rafale fighter jets armed with SCALP and HAMMER missiles, these platforms showcased India’s ability to project power with surgical accuracy.
The Modi government’s defence strategy prioritises resilience over flashy one-offs, resulting in a multi-layered, tech-driven airspace defence network capable of detecting, jamming, and eliminating threats before they breach. Operation Sindoor sent an unequivocal message: India not only defends its skies but dominates them, reinforcing its reputation as a formidable regional power. |
