How the Modi Government Fortified India’s Air Defence and Offensive Capabilities
These facts have come to light:
-- In the wake of the Operation Sindoor that destroyed as many as 9 terrorist camps across Pakistan, the Govt and army in Islamabad/Rawalpindi attempted to escalate tensions by launching missile strikes at Indian military installations across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and even Gujarat.
The choice of the states to strike was also well planned and had both political and strategic reasons.
But, thanks to alertness of the armed forces - "Every single one of those missiles was intercepted or neutralized. None reached its intended target".
It was one of the brilliant performances of the armed forces in South Asia in recent times.
Importantly;
India’s rapid, coordinated response showcased the strength of its air defence ecosystem—built painstakingly over the past 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These automatically also exposed the hollowness of Pakistani Air defence system.
Modi's Defence Ministers - Late Arun Jaitley, Late Manohar Parrikar, Nirmala Sitharaman (also Finance Minister now) and incumbent Rajnath Singh deserve kudos.
So does -- India's armed forces chiefs (from all three wings) and other top brass in last 11 years. Special mention can be made about Gen Bipin Rawat (India's first CDS)
Namo and Rajnath
The Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, S-400 Triumf systems, Barak-8 missiles, Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles, and DRDO’s anti drone technologies came together seamlessly to create an aerial shield that held firm.1
Notablly,
India didn’t stop at defending.
It retaliated with speed and precision.
Operation Sindoor saw the Indian Armed Forces strike deep into Pakistani territory, destroying a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence unit in Lahore and damaging key radar infrastructure.
This is what Late Jaitley and even PM Modi used to say from time to time --
"A Decade of Strategic Preparedness".
The Opposition parties especially Congress leaders never had the stomach to appreciate these.
Of course, some matured Congressmen such as Shashi Tharoor has shown the right temperament.
Needless to say as analysts say -- "This level of preparedness didn’t materialize overnight. Since 2014, the Modi government has systematically upgraded India’s air defence architecture".
There have been a series of key acquisitions.
S-400 Triumf
- The ₹ 35,000 crore deal for five S-400 Triumf squadrons, signed in 2018, with three squadrons now operational along the borders with China and Pakistan.
-- Deployment of Barak-8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAM), $2.5 Billion deal signed in 2017 with Israel,
now actively guarding frontline bases like Bhatinda.
Indigenous Akash missile batteries and DRDO-developed counter-drone systems.
Man Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS) to jam and disable hostile UAVs installed in 2024.
MPCDS
The Rise of Indian Tech in Modern Warfare :::
Operation Sindoor also 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 defences by complete surprise.
Additionally, Israeli-origin Harop drones—now locally built—were deployed to target and destroy air defence 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.4
Airspace, Secured. Reputation, Reinforced.
• The Modi government’s approach to defence has not been about flashy one-offs—it has been about building a resilient, multi-layered ecosystem.
India today operates a tech-driven airspace defence network capable of detecting, jamming, and eliminating threats before they breach.
Thus, Operation Sindoor sent a clear message: India is not just capable of defending its skies—it now controls them.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment