New Delhi: Operation Sindoor demonstrated the Indian Air Force’s ability to strike targets deep inside enemy territory, with indigenously developed defence systems playing a crucial role in the operation, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has said.
In a recent interview, the Chief of the Air Staff highlighted the scale of the operation, which covered an operational front approximately 1,200 kilometres wide and 200 kilometres deep. He described air power as India’s foremost strategic deterrent and a key instrument for rapid military response.
Launched in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied territories. According to the Air Chief, the mission validated the IAF’s capability-driven approach, integrating fighter aircraft, advanced sensors, precision munitions and secure communication networks.
He emphasised that operational success depended on coordinated intelligence, electronic warfare, stand-off precision strikes and a layered air defence network rather than any single aircraft or weapon system. The operation also highlighted the importance of maintaining multiple tactical options to adapt to changing adversary strategies while controlling escalation.
Air Chief Marshal Singh underscored the contribution of indigenous defence technologies, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Astra beyond-visual-range missiles and the Akash surface-to-air missile system. He said domestically developed systems delivered powerful strikes while the IAF maintained its commitment to avoiding collateral damage.
India’s integrated air defence network also intercepted hostile drones and stand-off munitions, demonstrating the value of linking offensive and defensive capabilities. The operation further highlighted the importance of coordination across air, land, maritime, space and cyber domains to accelerate decision-making and improve combat effectiveness.
Despite these achievements, the Air Chief cautioned against complacency. He identified expanding the combat fleet, strengthening intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and adopting artificial intelligence for faster battlefield decisions as key priorities. Robust logistics and increased domestic defence manufacturing will also be essential for sustaining prolonged, high-intensity operations.
Looking towards 2047, the IAF aims to evolve into a technologically advanced, self-reliant, multi-domain aerospace force aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat. Achieving this ambition will require sustained investment, indigenous innovation and a stronger domestic defence industrial ecosystem.
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