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In the high-stakes theatre of modern warfare, air supremacy is no longer just about fighter jets—it’s about the ability to see, intercept, and strike faster than the enemy. India’s integrated air defence network demonstrated precisely that during the latest cross-border confrontation under Operation Sindoor when it successfully repelled a barrage of hostile drones and missiles, many powered by cutting-edge Chinese and Turkish technologies.
As Pakistan responded to India’s pre-emptive strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir with a flurry of unmanned aerial systems and long-range missile attacks, India’s multi-layered air defence grid stepped up as the real game-changer. More than an operational success, it was a demonstration of deterrence-by-denial in action.
China and Turkey’s War Tech, Pakistan’s Delivery
Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes involved some of the most advanced aerial weapons it has ever fielded. Among them was the PL-15E, a Chinese beyond-visual-range missile fired by J-10C fighters. Hypersonic and radar-guided, its battlefield debut in this conflict raised alarms across the strategic community.
“It was not just symbolic—it was technological escalation,” said a senior intelligence official on background. “The PL-15E was not meant to harass simply; it was meant to challenge our high-value assets.”
Pakistan also deployed loitering munitions and low-cost quadcopters of Turkish origin, hoping to confuse Indian radar systems and overwhelm defences with sheer volume. However, these waves were met with a force-multiplying response that fused radar coverage, layered interception, and tactical flexibility.
Multi-layered, Multi-Domain Defence
India’s response was nothing short of a textbook execution of joint warfare principles. Early warning systems—AWACS, aerostats, and ground-based radars—tracked launches hundreds of kilometres away. In response, a spectrum of platforms swung into action: Akash and Pechora SAMs intercepted medium-range threats, while S-400 batteries guarded deeper airspace. L-70 and ZU-23-2 guns, along with MANPADS, defended point assets.
But beyond the weapons, the real victory was how the systems spoke to each other.
“India’s success wasn’t just because of better hardware—it was the ability to coordinate across sensors, shooters, and decision-makers in real-time,” explained Air Commodore TK Chatterjee (Retd). “Networking makes the difference between reaction and anticipation.”
Beyond the IAF: An All-of-India Air Shield
India’s response was tri-service by design and necessity. The Army’s Air Defence Corps deployed mobile systems like Kvadrat and Tunguska to protect troops and key zones. Infantry adapted light machine guns and Carl Gustaf airburst rounds to shoot down drone swarms—an old-school tactic repurposed for a new-tech battlefield.
At sea, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant extended the air defence envelope over maritime zones with Barak-8 interceptors and CIWS systems. “The Pakistani air elements stayed well away from the carrier battle group,” said Vice Admiral AN Pramod. “We denied them even the opportunity.”
Digital Backbone: The C2 Edge
What made the defence seamless was India’s Command and Control (C2) infrastructure. The Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs) acted as nerve centres, fusing BSF ground inputs, IAF radar feeds, and naval sensor data into a unified threat picture.
“This is where air defence becomes national defence,” said Lt Col Manoj K Channan (Retd). “You’re no longer defending just an airbase or a ship—you’re defending a grid of interlinked assets, all moving parts in a bigger machine.”
Strategic Implications: Deterrence Through Defence
Despite the volume and variety of Pakistani launches, India suffered no confirmed major losses. While a Rafale wreckage found near Bathinda is under investigation, preliminary assessments suggest technical malfunction over enemy engagement. This near-zero-damage record stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s losses—its airbases at Nur Khan and Rahimyar Khan suffered targeted strikes, as confirmed by satellite images.
Yet, India maintained calibrated restraint. “Our objective was never escalation—it was neutralisation,” said a senior defence official.
A Message Beyond Borders
This confrontation also put into sharp relief the diverging defence ecosystems of India and Pakistan. Pakistan has pivoted almost entirely toward China for its platforms—UAVs, fighters, and missiles. India, meanwhile, is leaning into strategic partnerships with France, Israel, and the United States while boosting indigenous development under projects like Akash, QRSAM, and LR-SAM.
As one Western diplomat observed, “India didn’t just intercept missiles—it sent a message. It showed that it can defend itself with modern, networked, and precise force. That’s more than deterrence—it’s strategic maturity.”
Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Shield
Still, gaps remain. India’s airborne early warning fleet remains limited, and more indigenous platforms are needed to reduce reliance on legacy Soviet-era systems. However, the operational lessons from Operation Sindoor may finally provide the institutional push for faster integration and upgrades.
A Doctrine in Motion
Operation Sindoor may well be remembered not for the strikes it launched—but for the strikes it stopped. India’s air defence grid wasn’t just reactive but predictive, pre-emptive, and precise. In doing so, it not only protected Indian lives and assets but also reinforced a doctrine of deterrence with discipline.
In the evolving landscape of hybrid warfare, shielding the skies may now be as powerful a message as striking through them.
Huma Siddiqui
