As India cracks down on Pakistan-backed terrorism, sources have revealed details of the country’s air defence and offensive readiness that came into play during the recent Operation Sindoor. The Wednesday operation, which led to the destruction of nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan, has emerged as a turning point in India's military posture, reflecting over a decade of strategic investments and technological upgrades. The Centre in the Union Budget 2025-26 allocated 13.45% of the budget to defence ministry with a provision of ₹6.81 lakh crore, the highest among other ministries.

Pakistan attempted to retaliate by launching a series of missile strikes following the Wednesday attack, targeting Indian military installations across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. However, not a single missile hit its mark. All incoming threats were intercepted or neutralised mid-air because of the country’s layered air defence systems.

According to sources, this was possible because of a coordinated deployment of cutting-edge technologies including the Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, the S-400 Triumf systems, Barak-8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, indigenous Akash missile batteries, and counter-drone technologies developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Much of India’s air defence system have been built on Russian and Israeli systems. These systems created an aerial shield that not only held but exposed serious gaps in Pakistan’s air defence network.

But India’s response wasn’t just defensive.

Operation Sindoor also marked a major offensive milestone. The Indian Armed Forces struck key military targets across the border, including a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence unit in Lahore and critical radar installations in Pakistan-occupied territories. These strikes, carried out with precision and speed, demonstrated India’s growing capability for long-range, high-impact operations.

The preparedness behind such operations, sources say, is the result of sustained focus on some of the most significant upgrades. These include the ₹35,000 crore deal with Russia for five S-400 Triumf squadrons signed in 2018. For now, however, only three of the five squadrons are currently operational along India’s western and northern frontiers. The Army also deployed the Israeli Barak-8 MR-SAM systems under a $2.5 billion deal signed in 2017, which is currently guarding key forward bases such as Bhuj and Pathankot. India also focused on building its indigenous Akash missile batteries and DRDO-developed counter-drone technologies forming the backbone of short- and medium-range threat mitigation. Additionally, the recent deployment of Man Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS) in 2024 allows soldiers to jam and neutralise hostile UAVs on the move.

Sources also noted the combat debut of Indian-manufactured loitering munitions—commonly referred to as suicidal drones—which were used to devastating effect across multiple sectors. Israeli-origin Harop drones, now domestically produced, were also employed to target Pakistani air defence assets in Karachi and Lahore.

The air offensive was further supported by the Rafale fighter jets, equipped with SCALP and HAMMER precision-guided munitions, which enabled India to strike high-value targets with surgical precision.