Operation Sindoor during India and Pakistan’s four-day skirmish from May 7 to 10 this year not just defined a modern battle, but triggered a change in architecture of the Army and spurred an addition of technology in the Navy and the Air Force (IAF).
In retaliation to the killing of 26 tourists by Pakistan-trained terrorists in J&K’s Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 by targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan. Featuring operations across land, air, and sea, the operation demonstrated a seamless synergy between the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy.
The subsequent changes in the armed forces have been witnessed on multiple fronts, including on war-fighting and new equipment, as the nature of war has gravitated towards swift targeted strikes, while simultaneously launching multiple drones, missiles and jets.
Army restructuring as tech took centre stage
As the Army’s new approach focuses on creating rapid-response fighting formations, its structure has undergone a first change in decades and now aligns war-fighting architecture towards greater use of technology. All the 385 infantry battalions now have a specialised drone unit called ‘Ashni’, enabling precision strikes.
Five Bhairav Battalions have been created as light commando units, capable of rapid, high-impact missions along the borders. These battalions have specialised troops designed for surprise attacks, cross-border raids, disruptive operations and advanced reconnaissance.
The creation of ‘Rudra’ brigades is another change. These integrate fighting components like infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial systems.
Countering airborne threats became key to success
Central to Operation Sindoor’s success was the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the IAF, which facilitated real-time identification of airborne threats and aided in interception by directing firepower. The Army’s air defence units worked in tandem and were instrumental in countering waves of drones and loitering munitions launched by Pakistan.
On the other hand, destruction of Pakistan’s air defence radars by the Indian Air Force was a crucial factor, which resulted in as many as 13 Pakistan air force bases getting hit on May 10.
IAF looks to expand its fleet of fighter jets
The Indian Air Force’s strikes during the skirmish displayed ‘precision’, however, the force has set its sights to bring in sweeping changes for expansion.
Of these, the most significant one is the proposal to increase the IAF’s authorised fighter squadron strength from the long-standing 42 squadrons to 50 or higher, needed for a simultaneous two-front war with China and Pakistan.
Additional fighter jets will be a key factor for implementing this proposal. To start with, the Ministry of Defence has ordered 97 additional Tejas Mark1A jets. The IAF has pitched for 114 more Rafale jets via government-to-government route with France. The IAF and MoD are also backing the production of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and working to accelerate the manufacturing of the Tejas Mark2 jets.
A project is also on to make the IACCS even more robust. A newer air defence missile, Akash-NG, is being fast-tracked, while indigenous air defence systems are being added to protect airbases, logistics nodes and critical infrastructure.
Navy updates doctrine, adds ‘no war, no peace’ category
The Navy also played a critical role in asserting maritime dominance during Operation Sindoor. It deployed its carrier battle group (CBG), which is equipped with MiG-29K fighter jets and airborne early warning helicopters. The CBG maintained a powerful air defence shield that prevented hostile aerial incursions, especially from the Karachi coast.
After Operation Sindoor, the Navy updated its doctrine and listed ‘no war, no peace’ as distinct operational category between peace and full conflict, reflecting a military operation short of an all-out war, without crossing into total war or territorial acquisition. The doctrine explicitly integrates tactics for grey-zone competition, hybrid warfare and irregular warfare.
The Navy is also accelerating the making of warships, adding to its fleet of maritime reconnaissance aircraft, utility helicopters and ship-borne drones. Post-Operation Sindoor, the Navy has accelerated development and deployment of autonomous boats.
Joint military doctrines for modernisation, integration
The office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) released six joint doctrines in two phases across August and September, representing a major thrust toward modernisation and force integration. These include doctrines on cyberspace operations; amphibious operations; special forces operations; airborne and heliborne operations; joint military space doctrine; and multi-domain operations.
The last one covers integrated employment across land, sea, air, space, cyber and cognitive domains. In a way it integrates military as well as non-military national capabilities.
Source: Tribune India
