Amid continuous cross-border provocations, India did not limit itself to defence. It retaliated swiftly with precision, inflicting significant destruction on the Pakistani side. Under ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the Indian Armed Forces demonstrated their sharpest and most accurate deep-strike capabilities, penetrating Pakistani territory and destroying a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence unit in Lahore, as well as damaging vital radar infrastructure.

Such preparedness is not the result of a single day’s effort. Since 2014, the Modi government has systematically strengthened India’s air defence architecture. Key acquisitions and developments include the Rs 35,000-crore deal for five S-400 Triumf squadrons—signed in 2018. Three squadrons are now operational along the borders with China and Pakistan. The deployment of Barak-8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAM), part of a $2.5 billion deal signed in 2017 with Israel, now actively defends key bases such as Bathinda.

There are also indigenous Akash missile batteries and DRDO-developed counter-drone systems that collectively form a robust shield against enemy manoeuvres. India’s Man-Portable Counter-Drone Systems (MPCDS), installed in 2024 to jam and disable hostile UAVs, have also significantly enhanced modern warfare capabilities. Notably, ‘Operation Sindoor’ marked the combat debut of loitering munitions—so-called ‘suicidal drones’ ordered in 2021 and manufactured domestically. These drones executed simultaneous, precision strikes across multiple sectors, catching Pakistan’s defences completely off guard.

Along with all others, the Israeli-origin Harop drones—now being produced in India, were deployed to target and destroy air defence infrastructure in Karachi and Lahore.

These advanced systems were further complemented by the strategic use of Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP and HAMMER missiles, underlining India’s ability to conduct precision strikes with surgical efficiency. The Modi government’s defence strategy has never been about showy, one-off actions—it has been focused on building a resilient, multi-layered ecosystem.