India carried out precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. This military action, codenamed Operation Sindoor, came in the wake of a deadly terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 when terrorists killed 26 tourists. While India’s strikes were aimed at terror infrastructure and not meant to engage the Pakistani military or to cause collateral damage to Pakistani civilian areas, these attacks elicited a response from Pakistan. What followed was a four-day exchange of military strikes from either side.

In these four days, Indian military gained clear supremacy as Pakistan’s attempts to attack India’s military installations and civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan were thwarted by Indian made defence equipment. Along with superior preparedness and tactical brilliance of Indian armed forces, India’s indigenously developed defence equipment has gained traction during the course of this conflict. The success of Operation Sindoor for India’s defence sector and for India’s external engagements could be ascertained from three perspectives.

One, Operation Sindoor demonstrated that defence equipment manufactured in India stood the test of battle preparedness. In particular, equipment like BrahMos missile, Akash missile and D4 anti-drone system played a crucial role in India’s four-day conflict with Pakistan. While the S-400 missile defence system, which India acquired from Russia, was one of the mainstays of India’s defence in this conflict, various indigenously manufactured equipment too played a crucial role in India’s military response to Pakistan.

During this conflict, India fired air and ground variants of BrahMos missile at several important Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan air base. These missile strikes resulted in destroying runways, bunkers and hangars of Pakistani air bases. Originally a joint venture between India and Russia, the BrahMos is now manufactured in India by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). With a range of 300-600 kilometers and a speed up to Mach 3, BrahMos missile can carry warheads between 200 to 300 kilograms.

In response to strikes from India, Pakistan too fired missiles and drones targeting India’s military bases and civilian areas. To intercept these attacks, India deployed Akashteer which is a medium range surface-to-air missile. This missile is developed by India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). During Operation Sindoor, a newer variant of Akashteer – Akash NG – was credited with intercepting multiple drone swarms and missiles fired by Pakistan. Along with Akashteer, India also deployed D4 anti-drone system, developed by DRDO, as a defence against the Pakistani drones. India’s entire air defence in this conflict was backed by the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), an automated battleship management tool developed by the Indian Air Force in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited.

Two, indigenous arsenal is gradually shifting India’s role in the global arms market from the one of being an importer to exporter. While India’s indigenous production is yet to completely replace its defence imports, New Delhi is taking steps to boost domestic manufacturing of defence equipment under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) program. India has now achieved 88% self-sufficiency in ammunition production. Achieving self-sufficiency in firepower is a part of a 10-year strategic plan that would India to end its dependence on foreign suppliers. A boost in domestic defence production has also resulted in growth of India’s defence exports. India recorded defence exports of Rs. 23,622 crore in the financial year 2024-25 thereby registering an increase of 12% over the previous year and a 34 times increase since the financial year 2013-14. India, traditionally a defence import-dependent country, has evolved into an exporter. India now exports its indigenously manufactured equipment to around 80 countries.  

Three, military hardware used in Operation Sindoor has attracted the attention of many countries. In April India delivered the second batch of BrahMos missile to the Philippines under a $375 million deal. Besides Philippines countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela have also shown interest in BrahMos.

Defence exports to these countries provide India with an opportunity to expand and strengthen its footprint in different parts of the world. The list of countries interested in BrahMos indicates that India can bolster its presence in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Latin America through defence exports.

Finally, Operation Sindoor has not only defined India’s tactical success in a limited conflict situation, it has also provided a boost to India’s defence sector which is an important component of India’s foreign policy.

Mr. Niranjan Marjani is a political analyst and researcher based in Vadodara, India.