S-400, drones, Akash…: The real story of India’s air defence shield built over a decade

Following India’s Operation Sindoor , which destroyed nine terrorist camps across the border, Pakistan on Thursday (May 8) tried to escalate tensions by launching missile strikes at Indian military sites in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

However, all these missiles were intercepted or neutralised by Indian missile defence systems.

India’s swift and coordinated response highlighted the strength of its air defence capability, developed over the past decade.

This response also revealed the weaknesses in Pakistan’s air defence system.

India’s aerial shield

India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, S-400 Triumf systems, Barak-8 missiles, Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles, and DRDO’s anti-drone technologies created an effective aerial shield.

India didn’t just defend; it struck back with precision. Operation Sindoor saw the Indian Armed Forces target deep inside Pakistan, destroying a Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defense unit in Lahore and damaging key radar infrastructure.

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India’s investment on defence systems over the past decade

This level of readiness didn’t happen overnight. Since 2014, the Indian government has systematically upgraded India’s air defence architecture with key acquisitions and developments such as:

- A ₹35,000 crore ($4.02 billion) deal for five S-400 Triumf squadrons signed in 2018, with three squadrons now operational along the borders with China and Pakistan.

Deployment of Barak-8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAM), a $2.5 billion deal signed in 2017 with Israel, now actively guarding frontline bases like Bhatinda.

Indigenous Akash missile batteries and DRDO-developed counter-drone systems.

Man Portable Counter Drone Systems (MPCDS) to jam and disable hostile UAVs installed in 2024.

Suicide drones

Operation Sindoor also marked the combat debut of loitering munitions—suicidal drones ordered in 2021 and manufactured in India.

These drones carried out simultaneous, precision strikes across sectors, catching Pakistan’s defences off guard.

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Additionally, Israeli-origin Harop drones—now locally built—were used to target and destroy air defence assets in Karachi and Lahore.

These platforms, along with the strategic deployment of Rafale fighter jets equipped with SCALP and HAMMER missiles, showcased India’s ability to execute precise strikes.

The Indian government’s approach to defence has focused on building a resilient, multi-layered ecosystem rather than flashy one-time actions. Today, India operates a tech-driven airspace defence network capable of detecting, jamming, and neutralising threats before they breach.

Operation Sindoor sent a clear message: India can not only defend its skies but now controls the airspace.