CDS Anil Chauhan Says Pak Drones Failed To Do Any Damage During Operation Sindoor

During a workshop on UAV & C-UAS indigenisation in Delhi, Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday replied to people who have been asking about damage faced by India during the Operation Sindoor. CDS said Pakistan's droners were unsuccessful and couldn't do any damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure.

Most drones were neutralised using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods, with some recovered nearly intact.

The workshop, titled "Indigenisation of critical components currently being imported from foreign OEMs in the areas of UAV & C-UAS," was organised by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. It took place in Delhi on Wednesday. The focus was on developing capabilities to manage lower airspace threats effectively.

Operation Sindoor: A Swift Response

Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7 to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack victims from April 22. In just 25 minutes, multiple long-range high-precision weapons were used to destroy nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Targets included Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters.

During this operation, India reported that Pakistan attempted a drone and missile attack on military targets in northern and western India. However, these efforts were deemed unsuccessful. The need for enhanced capabilities in lower airspace combat was emphasised by Chauhan during his address.

Evolution of Warfare Technology

Chauhan also discussed India's progress in weaponry and warfighting equipment over time. He noted that warfare has seen both evolutionary and revolutionary changes, transforming battle strategies. Weapons have become smaller, faster, lighter, more efficient, and affordable over the years.

He explained how rifles have evolved from being heavy and lengthy to shorter, lighter versions with longer ranges. Similarly, tanks and aircraft have become more affordable while offering better protection and manoeuvrability. These advancements enable night combat capabilities as well.

The emphasis on indigenisation reflects India's commitment to reducing dependency on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for critical components in UAVs and C-UAS systems. This move aims to strengthen national security by enhancing domestic production capabilities.

The workshop served as a platform for discussing strategies to harness lower airspace effectively against emerging threats like drones. By focusing on indigenous development, India seeks to bolster its defence capabilities while ensuring cost-effectiveness in military operations.