Drone-Centric Warfare in South Asia

Operation Sindoor marked a significant shift in South Asian military dynamics as India launched a large-scale drone-centric offensive against Pakistan, making Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) central to strategic and tactical operations. It underscored India's move towards autonomous, algorithm-driven warfare and showcased its advanced aerial deterrence capabilities

First-of-its-Kind Drone War in South Asia:

• Operation Sindoor marked the first full-spectrum employment of armed drones, ISR UAVs, loitering munitions, decoys, and swarm formations by India in a live combat zone.
• Both nations deployed drones for real-time intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, and precision targeting, without crossing the escalation threshold of conventional war.

India’s UAV Deployment

• ISR Drones (Surveillance)
  • TAPAS-BH-201 (Rustom-II)
    • DRDO-developed MALE UAV.
    • Role: Long-endurance surveillance, thermal imaging.
  • Heron MK-II
    • Israeli MALE UAV.
    • Role: All-weather ISR, SATCOM-enabled, real-time targeting.
• Combat Drones & Loitering Munitions
  • Harop
    • Israeli loitering munition (suicide drone).
    • Role: Anti-radar strikes, precision targeting.
  • Nagastra-1
    • Indigenous loitering munition.
    • Role: GPS-guided, minimal collateral damage.
• Swarm Drones
  • DRDO Swarm Systems
    • Dozens of coordinated mini drones.
    • Role: Radar saturation, SAM depletion, electronic decoys.
• Support Platforms
  • Micro-UAVs & Quadcopters
    • Role: Close-range surveillance, live target tracking.
    • Integrated with IBMS for battlefield situational awareness.

Air Defence Countermeasures

• Air Defence Network
  • IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System)
    • Centralized radar & missile network.
    • Integrates AEW&C, SAMs, and data fusion.
  • Akashteer
    • Army’s digital air defence command system.
    • Enables dynamic engagement orders to AD units.
  • DEWs (Directed Energy Weapons)
    • Emerging systems: laser/microwave-based.
    • Role: Neutralizing drones, missiles at short range.

Defence Platforms

• Short–Medium Range:
  • SPYDER
    • Israeli SAM system using Python-5 & Derby missiles.
    • Role: Quick-reaction interception.
  • Akash / Akash-NG
    • Indigenous medium-range SAM.
    • NG version: better seeker, mobility, reaction time.
• Long Range:
  • Barak-8
    • Indo-Israeli LR-SAM.
    • Role: Area defence against aircraft, cruise missiles.
  • S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra'
    • Russian LR air defence system.
    • Multi-target capability, 400 km range.