India goes for Indegenous Innovation in National Security with Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025, stands as a landmark in India’s national security history - not only for its decisive military response to terrorism but also for its unprecedented showcase of indigenous technological prowess. The Operation was an important change in how India handles its national security, making Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) a key part of its defence strategy.

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a terrible terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. It exemplified seamless inter-service coordination, enabled by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Integrated Command and Control Strategy. Intelligence teams, the military, and government departments worked closely together as one team. They quickly shared information about threats and acted in a coordinated way. This teamwork was key to stopping both terrorists and enemies supported by other countries, showing India's strong position in the region. The Operation was carefully planned and based on intelligence, aiming to avoid unnecessary damage and follow ethical standards.

The Operation signaled a tectonic shift in India’s counterterrorism and military posture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s articulation of the “Sindoor Doctrine” established a new normal: every act of cross-border terror would be met with swift, punitive, and retributive consequences, erasing any ambiguity about India’s willingness to act decisively in its own defence. The doctrine is rooted in three core principles: no dialogue with sponsors of terror except on the issue of terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir; complete rejection of economic ties with nations supporting terrorism; refusal to be deterred by nuclear threats, asserting that nuclear intimidation will not shield acts of terror.

However, what truly set the Operation apart was the scale and effectiveness of indigenous defence technologies deployed. The Operation was the first of its kind to rely so extensively on home-grown systems, demonstrating that Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not just a slogan but a strategic reality.

Operation Sindoor featured the Akashteer Command Network, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited, which integrated radar feeds and Operational data to deliver a real-time, comprehensive view of the battlespace. This enabled the rapid detection, tracking, and neutralization of aerial threats such as drones and missiles. India’s indigenous, multi-layered counter-UAS and air defence systems—featuring advanced radars, missile platforms, and artillery—successfully intercepted a wave of drone and missile attacks targeting military installations in Northern and Western India. At the same time, Indian forces used domestically developed loitering munitions and kamikaze drones to strike terrorist camps with surgical precision. These drones, capable of hovering and autonomously attacking targets, played a vital role in dismantling enemy infrastructure with minimal collateral damage.

In the early hours of May 8, 2025, India’s air defence capabilities faced a critical test when Pakistan launched a coordinated drone and missile assault on key military positions across Northern and Western India. From Awantipura to Bhuj, India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and layered Air Defence systems sprang into action. Combining radar systems, control centres, missile units, and anti-aircraft artillery, the network operated in seamless coordination to detect and destroy incoming threats. Later that morning, the Indian Armed Forces launched a precision counter-strike, successfully neutralizing several Pakistani air defence assets, including a high-value system near Lahore. The Operation reinforced India’s technological edge and its capacity to respond with speed and accuracy.

During Pakistan’s attempted retaliation on the night of May 9–10, India’s multi-layered air defence strategy once again proved decisive in defending critical infrastructure. The Armed Forces deployed a mix of homegrown and imported systems—including loitering munitions, electronic warfare tools, and advanced missile technologies—to target Pakistani airbases such as Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan with remarkable accuracy. Loitering munitions, designed to identify and strike high-value assets autonomously, were crucial in crippling enemy radar and missile installations. The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) coordinated these efforts across all three branches of the military. Recovered remains of neutralized threats—including Chinese-made PL-15 missiles and Turkish drones—highlighted the effectiveness of India’s surveillance and defence technologies.

At the core of India’s shifting defence doctrine is its fast-growing drone and counter-drone ecosystem, supported by government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and institutions such as the Drone Federation of India (DFI). With over 550 companies and thousands of certified drone pilots, the sector is becoming a critical strategic asset. From satellite-based monitoring by ISRO to advanced manufacturing by Indian firms like Tata Advanced Systems and Paras Defence, India is quickly positioning itself as a global leader in unmanned systems and smart warfare technologies. Powered by the “Make in India” initiative, the country has set ambitious goals—₹3 lakh crore in defence production and ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029. As India continues to innovate across air, land, and sea domains, it not only strengthens its national security but also rises as a key player in global defence manufacturing.

Operation Sindoor is more than a tactical victory; it is a strategic statement. It demonstrates that India’s investment in indigenous defence R&D has matured into a decisive battlefield advantage. The Operation proved that “Made in India” technologies—from missiles to electronic warfare systems—are capable of not only deterring aggression but also delivering swift, calibrated, and effective responses.

The rise of Aatmanirbhar innovation in national security, as showcased in Operation Sindoor, sets a new benchmark for India’s defence preparedness. It is a promise that India will continue to invest in home-grown capabilities, ensuring that national honour, security, and technological leadership remain inextricably linked.

“Operation Sindoor is our victory—but more than that, it is our promise: that Aatmanirbhar Bharat will always rise to protect, deter, and triumph.”, writes, Chaitali Bag.

In sum, Operation Sindoor will be remembered as a defining moment—where technological self-reliance, strategic clarity, and national resolve converged to safeguard India’s sovereignty and civilizational ethos.