Operation Sindoor: A New Era of Drone Warfare
Operation Sindoor, launched in early May 2025, marked a significant milestone in military engagements between India and Pakistan, introducing a new era of drone-centric warfare in South Asia. This operation was in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and involved extensive use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) by both nations.
Drone-Centric Combat
- Both India and Pakistan employed UAS extensively, signaling a shift towards autonomous platforms in military conflicts.
- The operation lasted four days, during which both sides revised their rules of engagement to include autonomous drones and loitering munitions.
- This conflict was managed below the threshold of full-scale war, emphasizing a new norm of drone warfare.
India's Strategic Use of UAS
- India used a variety of drones, including Israeli Heron MK-II, indigenously designed TAPAS-BH-201/Rustom-II, and loitering munitions like Nagastra-1 and Harop drones.
- Swarm drone formations were deployed to create radar clutter and overwhelm air defenses.
- Priority targets included ammunition depots, SAM batteries, radar sites, and forward operating bases.
- Notable incidents included disruptions of a cricket match in Rawalpindi and the destruction of a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defense system near Lahore.
Pakistan's Response: Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos
- Pakistan deployed drones like Shahpar-II, Burraq, Bayraktar TB2, and Chinese-supplied CH-4 and Wing Loong II platforms.
- Their attacks targeted strategic urban and military infrastructure but were largely neutralized by India's robust air defense systems.
- India's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) effectively countered Pakistan's UAS assaults.
India's Integrated Air Defense Network
- India's air defense system included layered radar coverage, SAM batteries, and automated threat-response mechanisms.
- The system was enhanced by Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) like high-powered lasers and microwaves for neutralizing airborne threats.
- Legacy systems like Pechora and OSA-AK SAM systems were retrofitted for better performance against UAS threats.
- Advanced missile systems like Akash, Akash-NG, and Barak-8 played a crucial role in defending against various aerial threats.
Conclusion
Operation Sindoor highlighted the transition to autonomous warfare, where digital deterrence and algorithmic dominance are key. This operation demonstrated a significant shift in the balance of aerial power in South Asia, with drones playing a pivotal role in future conflicts.
