New Delhi: On April 22, when terrorists infiltrated Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir, brutally attacking and killing 27 Indian tourists who were enjoying a holiday with their families.
In response, India vowed to take decisive action against terror factories. On May 6, India executed a dual demonstration of its military prowess—first, by conducting ultra-precision strikes on terrorist camps operating across borders, and second, by showcasing the versatility of its missile arsenal.
For long-range targets, the Indian Air Force deployed SCALP Cruise Missiles, which boast an impressive range of 250–450 km and utilize advanced navigation systems such as INS, GPS, and terrain referencing. Meanwhile, for medium-range targets, India relied on HAMMER Precision-Guided Munitions (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), which effectively cover a distance of 70 km.
On May 9, Pakistan launched a large-scale aerial assault, deploying Turkish Yiha-III drones to strike civilian areas across India's 3,323 km-long International Border and nearly 500 km of the Line of Control (LoC).
This aggressive move was backed by Turkey, which not only supplied drones and loitering munitions but also sent trained drone pilots to operate them.
The involvement of Turkey in facilitating Pakistan’s military actions against India marked a significant escalation in regional hostilities.
Ironically, just over two years earlier, in February 2023, India had extended humanitarian aid to Turkey following a devastating earthquake.
India’s assistance included National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, search-and-rescue dog squads, medical teams, field hospitals, medicines, relief materials, and specialized equipment. Despite this goodwill gesture, Turkey actively participated in Pakistan’s offensive against India, targeting innocent civilians.
In response, India unveiled its most formidable cutting-edge Akash Air Defense System. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Akash Air Defence System is a medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to safeguard critical assets and vulnerable areas from aerial threats.
As a cornerstone of India’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, Akash boasts 96% indigenous content, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-sufficiency in defense technology.
Akash is engineered to counter a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, helicopters, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
At its core is the Russian S-400 Triumf, a long-range interceptor renowned for its precision and reach, complemented by the Indian Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system, a testament to India’s self-reliance in defense technology.
The Barak-8, a highly capable medium-range SAM, strengthens the defensive perimeter, while SPYDER (Surface-to-Air Python and Derby) offers rapid-response interception capabilities.
Adding depth to this formidable arsenal is SAMAR (Surface-to-Air Missile for Assured Retaliation), designed for swift countermeasures against incoming hostilities.
Further reinforcing India’s aerial defenses is the L-70 Air Defence Gun, an indigenous marvel manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Tata Advanced Systems. Together, these systems form an unparalleled safeguard, ensuring the nation’s skies remain secure against even the most sophisticated threats.
India's swift and decisive response not only neutralized the aerial threat but also reaffirmed its technological superiority in air defense.
Not only has India showcased its superior air defense capabilities, but it has also exposed the vulnerabilities of the Chinese HQ-9 and HQ-16 air defense systems, which are currently deployed by the Pakistan military and Air Force.
China’s HQ-9 and HQ-16 surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems were developed to provide medium- to long-range air defense.
These systems are designed to intercept a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and potentially ballistic missiles .Pakistan is the most prominent foreign operator of these systems, having inducted the HQ-9P (export variant) in 2021.
It also integrates a naval version of the HQ-16 into its frigates. Other buyers of the HQ-9P include Morocco, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Egypt, with Egypt receiving the HQ-9B in 2025..
However, their effectiveness has been repeatedly called into question. The HQ-9 was first exposed on May 1, 2011, during Operation Neptune Spear, when American Black Hawk helicopters bypassed Pakistan’s HQ-9 air defense system with ease to eliminate Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad. And so despite their widespread deployment, operational performance has been problematic in Pakistan.
During the 2019 Balakot airstrike, Indian jets successfully crossed into Pakistan and delivered ordnance without interception, despite the presence of HQ-16 systems.
A particularly concerning incident occurred in March 2022, when an Indian BrahMos cruise missile accidentally veered into Pakistan, flying 124 km deep into its territory.
Although the missile was tracked for over seven minutes, the HQ-9P system failed to engage it, raising serious doubts about its combat readiness.
This time during India’s unconfirmed precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 10, 2025, the nation executed flawless precision strikes, penetrating deep with an unwavering 100% kill rate.
Multiple HQ-9 batteries near Sialkot and Lahore were destroyed, leading to the collapse of Pakistan’s high-altitude SAM defense in the region, marking one of the most significant battlefield setbacks involving the HQ-9.
These surgical operations did not merely dismantle enemy positions—they shattered the illusion of invincibility surrounding Chinese air defense systems. What was once touted as an impregnable shield proved to be a fading myth, leaving Pakistan’s military exposed and vulnerable in the wake of India’s strategic dominance.
While countries like Morocco and Egypt have reported successful test firings of the HQ-9P and HQ-9B, these systems have yet to prove themselves in a real conflict.
A serious friendly-fire incident involving the HQ-16 was reported in 2025, when a Pakistani Mirage V aircraft was mistakenly shot down—likely due to the HQ-16’s lack of an integrated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, exposing a major technical and operational gap. Despite being cost-effective,
Chinese SAMs appear to lack the robustness, combat validation, and integration seen in Western or even Russian air defense systems.
India's triumph in Operation Sindoor—marked by the unwavering success of the Akash Air Defence System—stands as a testament to the nation's technological and strategic supremacy. In stark contrast, Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese air defense systems has only further exposed their limitations, casting serious doubts on the combat reliability of Chinese military exports in high-intensity conflicts.
With Akash at the helm, bolstered by a multi-layered defense network and precision-strike capabilities, India has reshaped the battlefield and redefined modern warfare, setting a new global benchmark in air superiority.
This formidable defense posture not only secures India's skies but also cements its position as a dominant force, ensuring the nation remains steadfast, resilient, and ready to counter any future threats with absolute precision and unwavering dominance.
