From Rafales to space surveillance how India expanded military capabilities after Operation Sindoor

India accelerated a major military modernisation drive following Operation Sindoor, approving large-scale procurement projects and advancing indigenous defence systems aimed at strengthening combat readiness against regional threats.

Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The 88-hour operation showcased the Indian armed forces’ ability to conduct and conclude a military conflict against a nuclear-armed adversary. The operation also demonstrated India’s capability to strike targets deep inside Pakistan across a wide geographical area.

During the opening phase of the operation, Indian forces hit targets spread across more than 500 kilometres, ranging from Muzaffarabad in the north to Bahawalpur in the south. As the conflict escalated, Indian strikes targeted locations including a Surface-to-Air Missile battery in Karachi and a bunker at the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, while also damaging key Pakistani air bases and radar facilities.


Also Read: China admits providing support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor against India last May

The operation followed earlier military developments during the Eastern Ladakh standoff with China in 2020, when India secured the Helmet Top feature on the Kailash range, strengthening its negotiating position.

Major defence procurements approved

In the 12 months following the hostilities, the government approved several major defence acquisitions aimed at boosting operational preparedness. In March 2026, authorities cleared military procurement projects worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore.

Among the key decisions was the February approval for the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. The aircraft will be equipped with Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles and Scalp cruise missiles.

India also commissioned INS Aridaman in April, the country’s third indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, further strengthening India’s nuclear triad.

The armed forces additionally conducted a successful test firing of the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile, which has a strike range of up to 5,000 kilometres.

India is also set to receive five S-400 air defence missile systems from Russia. The fourth system is expected to arrive in the coming months and will likely be deployed along the western front, while the fifth system is expected by the end of the year.

The first S-400 system has been deployed in Punjab, the second in northern Gujarat and the third in the eastern sector.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra and air defence expansion

India has also launched efforts to develop an indigenous air defence shield similar to Israel’s Iron Dome under a programme named Mission Sudarshan Chakra.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is developing the layered air defence system, which was announced by the Prime Minister during his Independence Day speech shortly after the kinetic phase of Operation Sindoor ended.

The system is expected to deploy interceptor missiles with ranges of 350 kilometres, 250 kilometres and 150 kilometres. The first phase is targeted for completion by 2029.

DRDO has been testing components of the system since August 2025. The architecture is also being designed to integrate directed-energy weapons, including high-powered lasers.

Focus on drones and electronic warfare

The armed forces are simultaneously expanding anti-drone capabilities following the increasing use of unmanned systems in modern warfare.

Efforts are underway to deploy systems such as the Bhargavastra missile system developed by Solar Industries. The army is also procuring ammunition for 40mm, 30mm and 23mm guns to counter drone threats.

Additional technologies under consideration include electromagnetic systems, lasers and radio-frequency jammers.

India is also expanding its drone fleet for attack, reconnaissance and logistics operations. Procurement plans include systems ranging from small First Person View drones to high-altitude pseudo satellites powered by solar energy.

The army is restructuring internal formations to improve the use of these technologies, including the induction of Ashni platoons for infantry units and Divyastra batteries and Shaktiban regiments for artillery formations. Plans are also being considered for Shaurya squadrons within armoured regiments.

Satellite surveillance and high-altitude monitoring systems

The three armed services are also working to establish Space Based Surveillance capabilities to improve persistent monitoring of enemy activity.

Under the plan, the forces aim to deploy a constellation of 52 satellites over the next five years. The satellite network is expected to help monitor enemy movements, strengthen border surveillance and provide satellite-based communication support to the armed forces.

Half of the satellites are expected to be developed by private industry, while the remaining systems will be built by ISRO.

The armed forces are additionally seeking to procure stratospheric airships capable of operating at altitudes between 25 and 35 kilometres. These platforms are expected to carry low probability of intercept radars and electro-optical systems to assist in target detection and monitoring.

India is also pursuing high-altitude pseudo satellites, which are solar-powered autonomous unmanned aircraft designed to operate at altitudes of around 60,000 feet for up to 90 days.

These systems are expected to create a persistent surveillance network for the armed forces alongside the High Altitude Long Endurance and Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned aerial vehicles already being inducted and operated by the military.

Long-range missile capability under development

The Indian Army is also pursuing the creation of a dedicated rocket-cum-missile force capable of striking deep inside enemy territory without risking fighter aircraft or expensive aerial platforms.

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to target locations deep inside India using Fatah-II rockets, one of which was intercepted over Sirsa.

India also used long-range missiles extensively during the operation. Aircraft-launched strikes using BrahMos, SCALP and Rampage missiles targeted Pakistani air bases and early warning radar systems.

Several future strike roles are expected to be handled by upcoming variants of the indigenous Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launch system. According to reports, a 200-kilometre range version of the Pinaka is currently under development.

The army has also acquired the Precise and Universal Launching System, which has a range of 300 kilometres and is designed for high accuracy.

Officials view these systems as cost-effective alternatives to traditional strike platforms, reported TOI. The growing use of such weapons in recent conflicts has also highlighted the pressure they place on enemy air defence systems, which are often forced to use expensive surface-to-air missiles for interception.