Operation Sindoor emerged as a calibrated military response to an evolving pattern of Pakistan’s asymmetric warfare, one that increasingly targeted unarmed civilians along with military personnel. The terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam in April 2025 served as a grim reminder of this shift. India’s response was deliberate, precise, and strategic.
Without physically 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.Whether in drone warfare, layered air defence, or electronic warfare, Operation Sindoor marks a milestone in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations.
Op Sindoor saw India dominate the entire spectrum of conflict domains. While we salute the outstanding performance of Indian armed forces, a lot of credit must also go to the scientists and the indigenous defence industry for the stellar performance and effectiveness demonstrated by India’s indigenous defence systems. India produced systems, and technologies got engaged in live conflict settings. Indian radars, missiles, air defence systems, drones, counter-UAS technologies, and net-centric warfare systems made us strong and proud.
Air Defence Systems
On the night of May 7-8, 2025, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military and civilian 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 UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and air defence (AD) systems.
AD systems detect, track, and neutralise threats using a network of radars, control centres, artillery, and both aircraft and ground-based missiles. The operation involved multi-layered air defence systems, which included the Russian S-400 multi-domain AD system and the short-range Pechora and OSA-AK AD systems. Many batteries of the Israeli SPYDER-MRs using Python-5 and Derby surface-to-air missiles (SAM) were involved. A much larger complement of Indian AD guns to counter drones, short-range and medium-range SAMs like Akash and MRSAM (India-Israel) made engagements.
Akash AD System
Akash is an indigenous medium-range, mobile SAM system developed by India’s DRDO for the Indian Army and the Air Force. The missile systems are produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Surveillance and fire control radar, the Tactical Command and Control Centre and missile launchers are developed by BEL, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro.
The Akash missile system can target aircraft up to 45 km away. It can neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles. A typical battery comprises a 3D radar and many launchers and can track up to 64 targets and attack up to 12 of them. It is meant to protect vulnerable areas (VA) and vulnerable points (VP) from air attacks. It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features. The entire weapon system has been configured on mobile platforms.
AFNET and IACCS
The Air Force Network (AFNet) has been developed by the IAF in collaboration with HCL Technologies and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). It is meant to improve secure communications and coordination within the IAF and other military and strategic institutions. IAF was the first to complete this gigabyte digital information grid. AFNet was later connected and extended to a unified digital grid encompassing all three armed forces. AFNet incorporates the latest traffic transportation technologies and facilitates robust, high-quality voice, video and conferencing solutions.
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) brought together AD assets also of the Army and Navy to create a synergised comprehensive situational awareness (SA) and close command and control of all AD assets. This meant 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).
These highly computerised AI-supported systems were used to assign targets through ideal weapon solutions and allowed greater freedom to various weapon platforms while yet preventing physical and electronic fratricide. India’s AD Systems performed with exceptional synergy. These systems created an impenetrable wall, foiling multiple attempts by Pakistan to retaliate.
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. It provides a comprehensive and real-time view of the airspace, enabling commanders to take quick, informed decisions. It facilitates central command and decentralised execution of air operations, improving coordination and responsiveness. It helps in effective airspace management by providing a consolidated view of the air domain.
IACCS is developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector defence electronics company. IACCS enhances India’s air defence capabilities by providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to both offensive and defensive air operations. IACCS played a key role in coordinating the defence network during Operation Sindoor.
Akashteer
Akashteer is an Indian AD Control & Reporting System developed by BEL, equipping the units of the Indian Army’s Corps of Army Air Defence with a tactical command and control system, thereby improving their capabilities. This technology 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 civilian radars through the IACCS supports the Joint Air Defence Centre (JADC). The IAF is in overall control of the JADC. The Akashteer system was a part of India’s Air Defence Network during Operation Sindoor, where the system effectively foiled multiple of Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks. It was reported that it “struck down every drone with a near 100 per cent kill rate”.
