Introduction
Operation Sindoor has emerged, most of all, as a calibrated, precision and clinical military response over 88 hours to Pakistan’s policy of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. The terrible terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025 was a continuation of earlier incidents but this time the attack targeted people based on their religious identity.
Without physically crossing the Line of Control or international boundary, Indian forces struck Pakistan targeting initially only terrorist Headquarters but the canvas later included selected military targets. But beyond operational and tactical brilliance, what stood out was the seamless integration of indigenous systems in the Armed Forces response.
Some of the Indigenous Systems
The Akash is an indigenous Indian short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to protect vulnerable areas and vulnerable points from air attacks. The AKASH Weapon System can simultaneously engage Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode. It has built in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features. The entire weapon system has been configured on mobile platforms.
It has a range of 45–70 km and is designed to neutralize aerial threats like drones, missiles, and aircraft, with a high success rate.
The Akash system was reported as extensively deployed along India’s Western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
It played a critical role in intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles targeting 15 Indian military installations, including bases in Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, and Bhuj.
The Air Force Network (AFNet) developed by the IAF in collaboration with HCL Technologies and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) provided secure communications and coordination within the IAF and other military and strategic institutions.
IACCS: The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) developed by BEL brought together AD assets also of the Air Force, Army and Navy to create a synergised comprehensive situational awareness and close command and control of all AD assets. The IACCS is an indigenous automated command and control system of the IAF designed to integrate data from various air defence assets, including ground and airborne radars and communication nodes. It helps in real-time threat detection, identification, and response. It rides on the secure AFNET with high levels of redundancy. This resulted in coordinated offensive and defensive action between fighter aircraft, long – and short- range AD missiles, and close-in weapon systems (CIWS) such as AD guns and man-portable AD systems (MANPADS).
Akashteer: an Indian AD Control & Reporting System also developed by BEL, equipping the units of the Army Air Defence with a tactical command and control system. This allows for monitoring of low-level airspace in battle areas and efficient control of Ground-Based Air Defence Weapon Systems. The Akashteer system combined with the IAF sensors and other radars through the IACCS supported the Joint Air Defence Centre.
Loitering Munitions (LM), also known as “suicide drones” or “kamikaze drones”, were used to devastating effect in finding and destroying high-value targets, including enemy radar and missile systems. These unmanned aerial vehicles are built to remain over a target zone, detect threats and strike them with precision. Unlike conventional missiles, these systems can delay engagement until the ideal moment, minimising the likelihood of collateral damage. The LMs included the SkyStriker manufactured by Alpha Design Technologies (Bengaluru) in partnership with Israel’s Elbit Systems to build the SkyStriker.
Several Indian companies are key players in the manufacturing of military UAVs and drones, including IdeaForge, Garuda Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Adani Defence & Aerospace, and Zen Technologies.
BrahMos: these missiles were reportedly extensively used in Op Sindoor. The BrahMos is a long-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from land, submarines, ships, and fighter aircraft. It is a joint venture between India’s DRDO and the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, which together have formed BrahMos Aerospace.
India also has a large number of earth observation, Cartosat, radar, electro-optical, ELINT, satellite navigation, and communication satellites, among others. In addition to civil applications, many of these supported military applications and operations.
In Conclusion:
Op Sindoor saw India dominate the entire spectrum of conflict. Operation Sindoor will stand out as an important marker in India’s journey towards self-reliance in military systems. Indian radars, missiles, air defence systems, drones, counter-UAS technologies, electronic warfare and net-centric warfare systems delivered the results.
No doubt the credit must go to the government for the push and policies given to Atmanirbhar but equally to the contribution of our scientists and both the public and private defence manufacturers for the stellar performance and effectiveness demonstrated by India’s indigenous defence systems.
The systems and technologies have proven themselves in actual combat.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maj Gen VK Singh, VSM was commissioned into The Scinde Horse in Dec 1983. The officer has commanded an Independent Recce Sqn in the desert sector, and has the distinction of being the first Armoured Corps Officer to command an Assam Rifles Battalion in Counter Insurgency Operations in Manipur and Nagaland, as well as the first General Cadre Officer to command a Strategic Forces Brigade. He then commanded 12 Infantry Division (RAPID) in Western Sector. The General is a fourth generation army officer.
Major General Jagatbir Singh was commissioned into 18 Cavalry in December 1981. During his 38 years of service in the Army he has held various command, staff and instructional appointments and served in varied terrains in the country. He has served in a United Nations Peace Keeping Mission as a Military Observer in Iraq and Kuwait. He has been an instructor to Indian Military Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is a prolific writer in defence & national security and adept at public speaking.
