From Kargil to Operation Sindoor: Two decades of military transformation in India

India Today

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As India commemorates 26 years of victory at Kargil, it draws comparison to Operation Sindoor. The valour, courage and determination of the Indian Armed Forces remain the same, but in terms of technology and warfare, the Indian Military has come a long way from Operation Vijay to Operation Sindoor.In the summer of 1999, Indian soldiers fought a very difficult war against Pakistan in the inaccessible peaks of Kargil that continued for more than two months and three weeks between 3 May and 26 July. India lost 527 Bravehearts in the Kargil war. On 26 July 1999, India declared victory by recapturing all points across a stretch of 150 kilometres. 26 years later Pakistan was again countered in a fierce operation this year after the Pahalgam massacre. While Kargil was a long battle majorly fought by infantry in direct combat and artillery regiments, Operation Sindoor is a non-contact operation with missiles, air defence and lethal munitions.advertisementIn response to the terrorist attack on Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor was launched, and terror camps were targeted inside Pakistan. This year's Kargil Vijay Diwas is the first celebration of the victory over Pakistan after Operation Sindoor.
Even though the Kargil War and Operation Sindoor are very different operations, in terms of intensity and warfare technique, both started to defeat Pakistan's misadventures of infiltration and terrorism. The Pakistani army was given a befitting reply in the Kargil war and Operation Sindoor with the same force but in a different style. After the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terror bases, the Pakistani military tried to target India's military and civilian bases. To which the Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting reply and destroyed many airbases and air defence sites in Pakistan.By infiltrating Kargil in 1999, Pakistan tried to internationalise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The motive was the same when Pakistan-backed terrorists attacked Pahalgam. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir had made an inflammatory statement raking up the Kashmir issue right before the Pahalgam attack.From Operation Vijay to Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces have changed not only in terms of their modern weapons and niche warfare technology but also in terms of their military posturing. While Operation Vijay was defensive, Operation Sindoor has been an offensive message against terrorism as the Indian Armed Forces struck terror targets inside Pakistan. Operation Vijay lasted from May to July and there was a fierce battle for several weeks. In Operation Sindoor, strikes were carried out on 9 terrorist hideouts in 25 minutes. Pakistan asked India for a ceasefire in just four days, although India has said that Operation Sindoor is still going on.Military experts say that there are different generations according to the way war is fought. For example, in the first-generation war, there was a face-to-face battle. In the second generation, artillery guns were also used along with direct combat. Third generation warfare is non-linear i.e. facing the enemy in one place and surrounding him from another place. The most important number of wars in the fourth-generation war is the technique, method, and tactics of fighting the war. In this, the enemy is taken on by fighting. In this, manoeuvring (changing place) is important. The Kargil War was a Fourth Generation War, in which force was used on the entire Western Front and all kinds of arms and artillery were used.advertisementBut Operation Sindoor went beyond that. It is called Generation 4.5. It used mostly technology. India carried out surgical strikes on the hideouts of terrorists using precision guided weapons. The purpose was fulfilled by using technology. Pakistan also used technology. Sent drones which were foiled by India's air defence system. During the Kargil war, Pakistan did not violate its airspace. Operation Sindoor was also a test of India's air defence system. During this time, it was tested how effective India's air defence system is in protecting military and civil assets. Long-range missiles were used from both sides. It was a non-contact conflict in which the enemy was attacked from a distance.During Operation Vijay in 1999, the Indian Armed Forces relied heavily on legacy systems, with infantry soldiers primarily equipped with INSAS rifles and Dragunov sniper rifles, while heavy lifting was done by Bofors howitzers that proved crucial in high-altitude warfare. Artillery support came from 105 mm Indian field guns and mortars, and close combat often involved AK-47s and Carl Gustav rocket launchers. On the other hand, air support was provided by aircraft like the MiG-21s and MiG-27s.advertisementFast-forward to Operation Sindoor, India's military capabilities have seen a significant technological leap. The infantry is now equipped with more reliable and powerful weapons such as the SIG716i and AK-203 rifles. Artillery has been overhauled with the induction of Dhanush howitzers, M777 ultra-light guns ideal for mountainous terrain, and self-propelled K9 Vajra systems. Precision targeting and surveillance have improved drastically with the integration of advanced drones, loitering munitions, and AI-assisted battlefield management systems. Additionally, modern air defence systems, including Akash SAM batteries and indigenous radars, were deployed during Operation Sindoor to neutralise aerial threats—highlighting a shift from reactive to proactive defence postures.As the Indian Army commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, India Today witnesses the mood and preparedness on the ground. The 26th anniversary of Operation Vijay holds greater significance due to the recent Operation Sindoor. This happened to be the biggest event on the front lines amid the Operation Sindoor that is still going on.During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army deployed additional air defence guns and equipment to counter threats from across the border. These threats were effectively neutralised in the region. Leh based 14 corps was also one of the targets of the Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor. Dras, Kargil also remains on a heightened alert amid ongoing operations.- EndsMust Watch