India’s Operation Sindoor: A Battlefield Verdict on Chinese Weapons—And India’s Victory

India’s transformation into a modern defense power began in 2014, when Prime Minister Modi launched the "Make in India" initiative. The goal was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defense industry. The policy incentivized joint ventures, opened defense to foreign direct investment up to 74%, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers to build sophisticated military hardware at home. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile, K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside India—many with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control.

Then came a second wave. In 2020, the combined shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash with China exposed the fragility of foreign supply chains and the urgency of operational self-reliance. In response, Modi unveiled Atmanirbhar Bharat—meaning “Self-Reliant India.” More than an economic policy, it became a national security doctrine. India imposed phased bans on key defense imports, gave the armed forces emergency procurement powers, and poured investment into indigenous research, design, and production. By 2025, India had increased domestic content in defense procurement from 30% to 65%, with a goal of 90% by the decade’s end.

That doctrine was tested under fire on April 22, 2025, when Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 Indian civilians in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor—a rapid, multidomain military campaign that not only dismantled cross-border terror networks but became a full-scale validation of India’s defense transformation.

Operation Sindoor pitted India’s indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. And India didn’t just win on the battlefield—it won the technology referendum. What unfolded was not just retaliation, but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

India’s Arsenal: Sovereign Systems, Combat-Tested

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile

Jointly developed with Russia but largely manufactured in India, the BrahMos is one of the fastest and most precise cruise missiles in the world. Flying at Mach 2.8–3.0 with a 290–500 km range, it was used to strike high-value targets like radar stations and hardened bunkers. Its speed and low radar cross-section make it nearly impossible to intercept.

Akash SAM + Akashteer System