The Aakhya Weekly #147 | 'UAVolution' of India's Air Dominance Over Pakistan
In Focus: Redifining India’s Airpower with Drones
The dust is yet to settle following India’s retaliatory actions targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan, but the strategic implications are already clear. India’s transformation in unmanned aerial warfare reached a decisive inflection point with Operation Sindoor, launched in the early hours of 7th May 2025. This operation, executed in response to a series of escalations from Pakistan, showcased unprecedented precision, technological sophistication, and operational maturity in India’s drone doctrine, establishing a new paradigm in South Asian airpower dynamics. What began as a reaction to cross-border terrorism has evolved into a comprehensive air dominance strategy, built on a decade of investment in autonomous aerial platforms.
The three-day, perfectly-executed air operations during the recent Indo-Pak skirmish was the culmination of India’s textbook UAV strategy. It was a direct response to Pakistan’s attempted drone strikes on multiple cities in Jammu-Kashmir and Punjab, following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. What set Operation Sindoor apart was its reliance on unmanned systems for both ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and kinetic action. The Harop loitering munitions, supported by upgraded Heron drones, formed the operational spearhead. Real-time footage confirmed the destruction of key command-and-control nodes, and the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information described the operation as having “pulverized and razed terrorist launchpads to cinders”.
The Decadal Budgetary Surge
India’s UAV revolution is inseparable from a dramatic shift in defence budgeting and policy over the last decade. The government has significantly increased targeted allocations for drone technology, especially after the 2016 Uri and 2019 Pulwama attacks, and IAF’s Balakot airstrike deep inside Pakistan. For instance, through the Union Budget 2025-26, the government increased the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and components from ₹33 crore to ₹57 crore, reflecting growing industry participation and government commitment to domestic drone manufacturing. In parallel, a ₹20,000 crore allocation for private-sector-driven R&D and the launch of the National Geospatial Mission are set to propel advancements in autonomous systems and precision mapping. Defence modernization budgets now routinely highlight drones, UAVs, and related technologies as priority areas for both procurement and indigenous development. This sustained funding and policy focus have translated into accelerated R&D, scaling up of both offensive and defensive drone capabilities, and a rapid expansion of India’s domestic UAV ecosystem.
Major projects like the ₹5,000 crore “Project Cheetah” (for Heron drone upgrades) and the indigenous TAPAS-BH-201 (Rustom-II) MALE UAV, as well as Make in India collaborations for loitering munitions, all received sustained funding. This kind of financial backing has been crucial for India’s rapid transition from surveillance to strike capabilities, as evidenced by the outcomes achieved following Operation Sindoor.
Surveillance, Precision Strike, & Technological Edge
Over the past decade, India transitioned from reliance on imported Israeli Searcher and Heron drones to deploying sophisticated combat UAVs with indigenous components and strike capabilities. India’s journey toward UAV dominance began in earnest after the 2016 Uri attacks, when military planners recognized the critical importance of unmanned systems for both intelligence gathering and precision strikes. The transformation accelerated after 2019, as India’s defence establishment prioritized combat-capable unmanned platforms, given how unpredictibale outcomes like the downing of Mig-21 Bison in the subsequent dog fight between the IAF and PAF complicated swift response plans while focusing on minimising losses. Understandably, this thinking by the IAF reflects a doctrinal shift toward precision, persistence, and minimal risk to personnel. Strategic partnerships with Israel provided essential technological know-how, while simultaneous investments in DRDO and the private sector built a robust domestic base.
The star performer during Operation Sindoor, IAI Harop, a loitering munition developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, emerged as a centerpiece of India’s offensive drone capability, debilitating Pakistan’s air defences, especially in the strikes on Lahore-based ADs. Its man-in-the-loop control, electro-optical sensors, and 1,000+ km range provided India with unprecedented standoff strike capabilities, fundamentally altering the regional balance. India’s UAV arsenal in 2025 is a sophisticated blend of imported platforms, license-manufactured systems, and increasingly indigenous developments. The Harop, described by IAI as the “King of the Battlefield,” was highly effective during Operation Sindoor, with military sources citing a 98% mission success rate. Its ability to conduct ISR and then transition to attack mode provided operational flexibility unmatched by Pakistan’s conventional air assets. India’s indigenous TAPAS 201 (formerly Rustom-II), a MALE UAV, represents a milestone in domestic UAV development. Designed for multi-mission capabilities with a 24-hour endurance, TAPAS can carry a variety of payloads, including synthetic aperture radar and electronic intelligence equipment. India’s counter-drone capabilities have also matured rapidly. The Swathi Weapon Locating Radar, developed by DRDO and now exported to countries like Armenia, provides early detection and tracking of incoming threats.
Countering Pakistan’s Response
Pakistan’s retaliation to India’s precision drone strikes has exposed a significant capability gap in unmanned systems and counter-drone technologies. India’s layered air defence system-including the indigenous Swathi Weapon Locating Radar and DRDO-developed anti-drone solutions-has repeatedly intercepted and neutralized hostile UAVs along the border. In recent incidents, suspected drone attacks targeting sensitive locations such as Jammu and Srinagar airports have been thwarted by swift activation of countermeasures. On the other hand, Pakistan’s escalation, including cross-border artillery and rocket attacks, has only highlighted its inability to match India’s precision drone capabilities and integrated air defence.
India’s use of unmanned systems as primary instruments in cross-border operations marks a watershed in South Asian security, minimizing risks and maximizing swift operational effectiveness. Indian officials have repeatedly emphasized strategic restraint and proportionality in such operations, with statements from the Ministry of External Affairs and senior diplomats underlining India’s responsible approach to escalation. More importantly, the holistic soft strategy of the MEA and the hard approaches of the IAF jets aided the UAV’s effectiveness in demoralising the Pakistani Armed Forces’ intent to retaliate, delaying their response time, and flummoxing them about the next course of action.
The Decade Ahead: Consolidating the Advantage
India’s unmanned aerial warfare capabilities are poised for further evolution. For instance, defence experts and technology enthusiasts now predict a deeper integration of artificial intelligence, development of swarm drone technologies, enhanced counter-drone systems, and greater indigenous production by the Indian Armed Forces. The successful neutralization of nine terror camps during Operation Sindoor demonstrates that India has already achieved significant operational capability with its current UAV arsenal.
A case in point is India’s latest leap in counter-drone technology is embodied in the successful test of Bhargavastra, an indigenous, low-cost counter-swarm drone system developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL). Bhargavastra employs a multi-layered approach: unguided micro-rockets form the first line of hard-kill defence, neutralizing drone swarms within a 20-metre lethal radius up to 2.5 km, while guided micro-missiles provide a second, precision layer. The system is modular, adaptable for soft-kill methods like jamming and spoofing, and is engineered for rapid deployment across diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions above 5,000 metres. Bhargavastra’s integration with network-centric warfare infrastructure and its open-architecture design mark a significant step forward in India’s ability to counter massed drone attacks, offering a cost-effective, scalable solution for all branches of the armed forces.
If this whole episode taught us anything, it is the fact that Operation Sindoor represents the culmination of India’s decade-long transformation from a cautious adopter of UAV technology to a confident leader in unmanned aerial warfare. As India continues to develop its unmanned aerial capabilities through indigenous innovation and strategic partnerships, its advantage will likely expand further. However, the challenge for the future will also have to deal with the level of preparedness of the adversaries on multiple fronts for India, given the element of surprise might not exist the next time around. This means that the air dominance through UAVs will be a continuous process, replete with R&D and higher investments in tech disruptions and innovations, outperforming the enemy’s counter capabilities. The ‘UAVolution’ for India will not just be about technology; it must represent a fundamental, futuristic shift in how India conceptualizes and executes national security in a complex region, aiding its great power ambitions.
Top Stories of the Week
Rising Northeast Investor Summit Opening
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasised the Prime Minister’s vision of making the Northeast a key driver of India’s growth as the country moves toward Viksit Bharat by 2047. “Today, the Northeast, which was once seen as India’s periphery, has become the centre of the country’s growth story,” he said, noting that the eight Northeastern states are growing at an impressive 12–13% annually. The Rising North East Investor Summit, scheduled for May 23–24, is being organised by the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to position the Northeast as a thriving economic hub. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the summit on May 23rd.
The event will spotlight investment opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, IT, and other high-growth sectors, while showcasing the region’s natural resources, skilled workforce, and proximity to ASEAN and BBN markets. With participation from 131 countries, over 100 PSUs, key ministries, state governments, and leading industries, the summit offers a powerful platform for G2B and B2B interactions, strategic tie-ups, and policy insights. Preceding NEIS 2025, roadshows in seven major cities are building investor momentum, reinforcing the Northeast’s emergence as an economic engine for India’s future.
Karnataka Targets August Rollout for Gig Workers’ Welfare Fund
The Government of Karnataka is poised to operationalise the Gig Workers’ Welfare Fund by August 2025. In alignment with the mandates of the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2024, the Department of Labour is engaging digital labour platforms to finalise platform-specific welfare fee structures.
The scheme aims to institutionalise social security for gig and platform workers through contributory mechanisms involving aggregators and the state. The Labour Department has initiated bilateral consultations with stakeholders to ensure equitable implementation and compliance.
The upcoming guidelines will trace sector-specific contribution slabs, with a key focus on ensuring the fiscal sustainability of the fund and comprehensive coverage. Implementation protocols are being drafted to align with the State’s broader employment welfare objectives. Karnataka follows Rajasthan as a pioneer state in this domain, emphasising a rights-based, inclusive approach to gig workers’ welfare.
A Few Good Reads
Sreeram Chaulia argues that the India-Pakistan conflict reveals how global powers like the U.S. and China act out of strategic self-interest.
P. Ragavan highlights that maintaining ecological health is essential for both strengthening climate resilience and ensuring economic sustainability
Vanita Kohli-Khandekar argues that India's media and entertainment sector requires bold policy and capital investment to foster innovative, optimistic leadership
Arun K. Shanmugam highlights a spirited comeback for India’s IMFL segment, fueled by soaring demand for premium and imported liquors in the post-pandemic market.
Sumali Moitra explains that India’s growing concert economy needs regulations to prevent ticket scalping, inspired by reforms from Trump’s administration.