 "Indian Army's air defence systems downed over 600 Pak drones during Op Sindoor: Report")
Over 600 Pakistani drones were downed or repelled by the Indian Army’s air defence (AD) units, which were deployed along the western front during Operation Sindoor last week.
According to a report by the Times of India, the army mobilised over 1,000 AD gun systems and 750 short—and medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems in double-quick time.
This shifted the multi-layered air defence system from a peacetime stance to full operational readiness, enabling it to counter the multiple drone waves launched by Pakistan during the four days of conflict.
A senior Army Air Defence official told the media outlet, “The operation not only safeguarded vital military and civilian infrastructure but also shattered the myth of drone supremacy. It has shown that Indian boots on the ground, backed by indigenous technology and rigorous training, can defend the skies with unmatched precision.”
What was Pak’s strategy?
Pakistan launched a swarm of drones, some of them armed, to test India’s AD radar network as well as deplete its ammunition and missile stockpiles. However, their goals were never met, as India has plenty of ammo reserves as a result of regular and emergency procurements in the last five years.
Another official said, “Pakistan’s strategy was to overwhelm India’s integrated air defence grid, gather real-time intelligence, and target population centres, military assets and places of worship. But it failed spectacularly.”
“We neither open up all our radars, nor keep them open round-the-clock, to ensure the adversary does not pick up electronic signatures. One also does not use the top-end Russian S-400 (interception range 380km) or Barak-8 MR-SAM (70km, jointly produced with Israel) AD systems against low-value targets like small drones,” the official added.
What did India use to thwart Pak missiles?
Old “legacy” air defence systems, such as the L-70 anti-aircraft guns, ZU-23mm twin-barrel guns, and upgraded Schilka units, which are often overlooked in today’s high-tech military landscape, demonstrated their effectiveness in the recent conflict.
Meanwhile, the indigenous Akash air defence missile systems, with an interception range of 25 km, played a crucial role in countering larger threats like aircraft, armed UAVs, and Turkish-made Byker Yiha III kamikaze drones. Their reliable performance added a significant layer of defence against these sophisticated airborne adversaries.
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