The recent escalation between India and Pakistan witnessed a significant development in modern warfare: the extensive use of drones. Amidst heightened tensions, the Indian Army's Air Defence (AD) units were at the forefront, successfully intercepting and neutralizing a large number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Pakistan. These drones, reportedly including Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones, were deployed in multiple waves, targeting military installations and civilian areas along the border.
In response to the escalating tensions and a deadly militant attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam last month, which India attributed to Pakistan, the Indian Armed Forces launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7th. This operation involved strikes on terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Following these strikes, Pakistan retaliated with waves of drone attacks.
According to Indian officials, Pakistan deployed approximately 300-400 drones across 36 locations, aiming to test India's air defence systems, gather intelligence, and potentially target military assets, population centers, and even religious sites. However, the Indian Army's AD units were prepared. They swiftly mobilized and deployed over 1,000 AD gun systems and 750 short and medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems along the western front. This rapid deployment transformed the existing air defence network from its peacetime posture to full operational readiness.
The effectiveness of India's multi-layered air defence network was evident in its ability to intercept and neutralize a significant portion of the incoming drones. It's reported that over 600 drones were shot down, while the remaining were repelled. The operation not only safeguarded vital military and civilian infrastructure but also demonstrated India's enhanced AD preparedness and technological capabilities. Evidentiary photos showed that Pakistan used Chinese-made PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles and Turkish-origin Byker Yiha kamikaze and Asisguard Songar drones, along with long-range rockets, loiter munitions, and quadcopters.
The indigenous Akash missile system played a crucial role in countering the aerial threats. This system is capable of intercepting hostile aircraft, helicopters, and drones at a range of 25 km. The Indian Army also deployed its new indigenous Akashteer air defence control and reporting systems, integrated with the Indian Air Force's (IAF) integrated air command and control system (IACCS), providing real-time situational awareness to commanders on the ground.
While Pakistan claimed to have shot down 25 Indian drones, India remained publicly silent on these claims. India, however, acknowledged targeting Pakistan's air defence system. The recent exchanges highlight the increasing importance of drone warfare in modern conflicts, with both sides employing unmanned systems for surveillance, targeting, and attack purposes.
The successful interception of the Turkish drones and Chinese missiles by the Indian Army's Air Defence units demonstrates India's growing prowess in aerial threat interception. The operation also sends a strong message to adversaries about India's preparedness and technological strength.
