Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF), during Operation Sindoor, successfully bypassed and neutralised Pakistan’s Chinese- and Turkish-supplied defence systems in a swift and strategic air operation, the Government of India said on Wednesday. The strikes, which lasted only 23 minutes, targeted key Pakistani military sites without crossing the Line of Control (LoC) or the international border — and with zero Indian losses.
Precision strikes with indigenous firepower
The mission, described as “deliberate, precise, and strategic”, saw Indian fighter jets and loitering munitions hitting targets such as the Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan airbases. Crucially, these strikes were carried out using Made-in-India platforms, underlining India’s growing defence self-reliance.
The IAF’s electronic warfare capabilities were instrumental in jamming and bypassing China-supplied air defence systems, which reportedly include HQ-16 and LY-80 units. The Netra AEW&C system, developed by DRDO, was deployed for 360-degree airborne surveillance, marking its first operational use.
India’s air defence proved superior
Pakistan’s failed attempts to strike Indian military assets were met with effective countermeasures by India’s multi-layered defence shield, involving:
-
Akash Missile Systems: Successfully intercepted multiple aerial threats.
-
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAMs): Destroyed Turkish-origin drones.
-
Arudhra and Ashwini radars: Used for precise tracking and interceptions.
-
Indigenous jamming systems: Effectively neutralised Pakistan’s guided munitions.
Recovered wreckage reveals foreign weapon use
India has recovered remains of Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles, Turkish-origin Bayraktar-style UAVs, long-range rockets, and tactical quadcopters used in Pakistan’s cross-border retaliation between May 7 and May 10.
Government sources confirmed these weapons were employed to target Indian cities and military bases, but were thwarted by indigenous systems, showcasing a robust air defence network developed over the last decade through sustained investment.
Defence doctrine milestone
The operation, which followed the Pahalgam terror attack, marks a defining shift in India’s military response strategy — focused on speed, indigenous capability, and containment without escalation across borders. The government highlighted the operation as a “milestone in India’s evolving defence doctrine”.
