Operation Sindoor: How IAF bypassed Pakistan's China-supplied defence systems, destroyed military targets

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday detailed how the Indian Air Force (IAF) bypassed Pakistan's China-supplied defence systems to destroy military targets in the country during Operation Sindoor . In a detailed statement, the government also confirmed that Pakistan's foiled attacks on Indian cities and military sites involved Chinese and Turkish-origin weapon systems, including PL-15 missiles and Bayraktar-style drones, all of which were successfully neutralised by Made-in-India defence technologies.

The government's detailed press release mentioned that Operation Sindoor underscored not just the precision of India's military action but also its technological self-reliance, marking a milestone in the country’s defence doctrine.

“Operation SINDOOR emerged as a calibrated military response to an evolving pattern of asymmetric warfare… India’s response was deliberate, precise, and strategic,” the statement read.

India jammed and bypassed Chinese air defence systems

By bypassing China-supplied defence systems, Indian fighter jets and loitering munitions struck key Pakistani military sites, including Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan airbases, using indigenous platforms. According to the government statement, these strikes were completed in just 23 minutes.

“Indian Air Force bypassed and jammed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems, completing the mission in just 23 minutes, demonstrating India’s technological edge,” the government said.

All strikes were executed without crossing the Line of Control or the international boundary, and no Indian assets were lost.

Meanwhile, India’s multi-layered air defence system successfully intercepted Pakistani attacks using a mix of legacy and modern indigenous systems:

• Akash Missile System, which “demonstrated stellar performance” in neutralising multiple aerial threats
• Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) systems that destroyed Turkish-origin drones
• Arudhra and Ashwini radars, developed in India, used for tracking and interception
• Netra AEW&C system, used for the first time operationally to provide 360-degree surveillance

“These systems, built over the last decade with continuous government investment, proved to be force multipliers during the operation,” the statement said.

Chinese missiles, Turkish drones recovered

The government confirmed that wreckage from various foreign-supplied weapon systems used by Pakistan was recovered, including:

• Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles
• Turkish-origin UAVs dubbed ‘Yiha’
• Long-range rockets and quadcopters

These were deployed by Pakistan in cross-border attacks that targeted Indian military installations between May 7 and May 10.

“Despite Pakistan's attempts to exploit advanced foreign-supplied weaponry, India’s indigenous air defence and electronic warfare networks remained superior,” the statement said.