Behind repulsed Pakistan attacks, India’s decade-long planning to dominate land and the skies

Since the first leg of “Operation Sindoor" launched by the military in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India has thwarted every single Pakistani attempt to breach national sovereignty.

Pakistani missile strikes at Indian military installations across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat were all intercepted or neutralised.

Not one hit its target.

How this was achieved India’s response establishes the strength of its air defense ecosystem built over the past 11 years under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government besides exposing the hollowness of the Pakistani Air defense system.

India’s strengths

The Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, S-400 Triumf systems, Barak-8 missiles, Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles, and DRDO’s antidrone technologies built an aerial shield that held firm. India didn’t just defend. It retaliated with speed and precision. “Operation Sindoor" saw the Forces strike deep into Pakistani territory, destroying a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defense unit in Lahore and damaging key radar infrastructure.

Graded acquisitions

A Rs 35,000 crore deal for five S-400 Triumf squadrons was signed in 2018 with Russia, with three squadrons now operational along the borders with China and Pakistan. Deployment of Barak-8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAM), a $2.5 Billion deal signed in 2017 with Israel, is now actively guarding frontline bases like Bhatinda; Indigenous Akash missile batteries; DRDO-developed counter-drone systems; Man Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS) to jam and disable hostile UAVs installed in 2024 are other major defences.

Modern warfare

“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, taking Pakistan’s defenses by complete surprise. Israeli-origin Harop drones, now locally built, were deployed to target and destroy air defense assets in Karachi and Lahore. These platforms, combined with the strategic deployment of Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP and HAMMER missiles, demonstrated India’s capability to project power with surgical precision.

Controlling the skies

India today operates a tech-driven airspace defense network capable of detecting, jamming, and eliminating threats before they breach. “Operation Sindoor’s" message is — India is not just capable of defending its skies, it is now controlling the skies.

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