In a major show of strength and preparedness, the Indian Army launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7 to counter a large-scale drone offensive from Pakistan. Over 600 Pakistani drones were destroyed by the Indian Army’s air defence (AD) units, while the remaining were effectively repelled. This swift and massive operation involved the rapid deployment of over 1,000 AD gun systems and 750 short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, all networked through an extensive array of radars. The entire air defence apparatus transitioned from peacetime readiness to full combat operational capability within a short span, demonstrating India’s robust multi-layered air defence network.

Senior officers stated that Operation Sindoor not only protected vital military and civilian infrastructure but also debunked the myth of drone superiority. The operation highlighted the effectiveness of Indian troops on the ground, equipped with indigenous technologies and rigorous training, in defending airspace with high precision. Pakistan's tactic was to deploy swarms of drones, many armed, to stress-test India’s radar coverage and exhaust the Indian military’s ammunition and missile reserves. These efforts were part of a larger strategy to gather intelligence, disrupt defence mechanisms, and target sensitive civilian and military locations.

However, the Indian defence establishment had anticipated such a threat. In the wake of ongoing tensions with China in eastern Ladakh, the Indian military had significantly enhanced its ammunition reserves through systematic procurement over the last five years, ensuring readiness for such provocations.

Interestingly, India did not rely on high-end AD systems like the Russian S-400 (with a 380km interception range) or the Indo-Israeli Barak-8 MR-SAM (70km) to counter low-value targets such as small drones. Instead, legacy weapons such as L-70 anti-aircraft guns, ZU-23mm twin-barrel guns, and upgraded Schilka systems played a crucial role. These older systems, often underestimated in modern warfare, proved highly effective in targeting and neutralizing low-flying, hard-to-detect drone swarms, serving as vital point defence mechanisms.

In addition to these, the indigenous Akash missile system, with a 25km interception range, was instrumental in tackling more serious aerial threats like aircraft, armed UAVs, and Turkish-origin kamikaze drones such as the Byker Yiha III. Complementing this was the deployment of six operational nodes of Akashteer, India’s new indigenous air defence control and reporting system. Akashteer was fully integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), offering a real-time, composite air situation to all ground commanders.

A senior AD officer described Akashteer’s digital backbone as crucial, providing unmatched situational awareness and real-time command-and-control capabilities. This allowed for rapid threat neutralization while avoiding the risk of friendly fire.

In conclusion, Operation Sindoor showcased India’s advanced and responsive air defence architecture. The massive scale of engagement, the speed of deployment, and the integration across sensors, weapons, and networks signaled a transformative moment in India’s air defence preparedness, setting a new benchmark in the country’s military capabilities against asymmetric aerial threats.