23 minutes to avenge 26 deaths: How India's Akash missiles and suicide drones pounded Pakistani airbases during Operation Sindoor
On 8 May 2025, India launched
Operation SINDOOR
as a carefully planned military response to the terrorist strike in Pahalgam just weeks earlier. That attack, which killed tourists, marked a grim evolution in asymmetric warfare—civilians were being directly targeted, not just soldiers. In retaliation, India avoided crossing the Line of Control or international boundary but still managed to hit multiple terrorist infrastructures deep inside enemy territory.
What stood out was not just the speed or accuracy of the response. It was the sophisticated use of indigenous technology—across air defence,
drone warfare
, and electronic surveillance. This operation has become a defining moment in India's journey towards
military self-reliance
.
The night of the attack—and defence
Late on 7 May, Pakistan attempted coordinated missile and drone strikes on Indian military installations across multiple cities—Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, and more. India's
air defence systems
, armed with both legacy weapons and modern indigenous platforms, sprang into action. The Integrated Counter-UAS Grid neutralised the threats.
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By morning, Indian forces had already retaliated. They targeted air defence radars in Pakistan, including one in Lahore, which was destroyed. Indian systems not only defended but outmanoeuvred.
Synergy of air defence systems
India's response relied on a web of integrated technologies. The Akash missile system—an indigenous platform—was central. Capable of targeting multiple threats in real time, Akash is a mobile, short-range surface-to-air system equipped with Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM). Alongside Akash, India deployed proven systems like Pechora, OSA-AK, and low-level air defence guns.
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The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) brought all elements together—Air Force, Army, and Navy—creating a seamless, net-centric operational picture. These systems worked as one to repel the threat.
Surgical precision strikes
India's offensive actions were quick and clinical. Using loitering munitions—so-called 'suicide drones'—the
Indian Air Force
struck key Pakistani airbases, including Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan. These munitions hovered above target zones before locking in and hitting high-value enemy installations, like radar and missile sites.
There were no Indian losses. That precision came from tight coordination between surveillance, jamming, and drone delivery systems. Indian forces bypassed Chinese-made Pakistani air defences and completed their mission in just 23 minutes.
Proof of threats, neutralised
Post-operation recoveries painted a clear picture. India collected debris of:
PL-15 Chinese-origin missiles
Turkish-made UAVs labelled 'Yiha' or 'YEEHAW'
Quadcopters, long-range rockets, and commercial drones
These fragments proved Pakistan had sourced advanced foreign weapons. Yet, India's homegrown systems outperformed them, exposing the robustness of its defence tech.
Layers of defence, years in the making
On 12 May, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General Military Operations, briefed the press. He praised a blend of old and new technology, 'A unique blend of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems, Electronic Warfare assets, and Air Defence Weapons from both Army and Air Force' ensured defence against retaliation.
He added that multi-layered defences—ranging from handheld missile launchers to long-range radar—prevented any damage to India's airfields and logistics hubs.
Ghai underlined that these systems were built over the last decade through sustained government investment.
'They played a crucial role in ensuring that both civilian and military infrastructure across India remained largely unaffected during enemy retaliation attempts.'
ISRO's eyes in the sky
ISRO's satellite network quietly supported Operation SINDOOR behind the scenes. On 11 May, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed, 'At least 10 satellites are continuously working round-the-clock for the strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the country. It has to monitor its 7,000 km seashore areas. It has to monitor the entire Northern part continuously. Without satellite and drone technology, the country can't achieve that.'
These satellites enabled real-time surveillance and targeting accuracy.
A growing drone ecosystem
The
Drone Federation of India
(DFI) plays a vital role in India's rise as a drone power. With over 550 drone firms and 5,500 pilots, DFI aims to make India a global drone hub by 2030. It also runs initiatives like the Bharat Drone Mahotsav to showcase local innovation.
Key players include:
Alpha Design Technologies (Bengaluru) – in collaboration with Israel's Elbit Systems, builds SkyStriker drones.
Tata Advanced Systems – long-standing defence partner to Indian forces, offering integrated tech solutions.
Paras Defence & Space Technologies – pioneers in Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) capabilities.
IG Drones – specialises in defence drones, partnered with the Indian Army and multiple government bodies.
India's drone market is expected to hit $11 billion by 2030, accounting for over 12% of the global share.
India's defence shift isn't sudden. It stems from years of reform. Since 2021, the government banned imported drones and rolled out a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage domestic manufacturing. This long-term planning bore fruit during Operation SINDOOR.
The operation proves that India no longer needs to depend on foreign imports to respond to national threats. Its tech is homegrown, its defences tested, and its vision clear.
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