Operation Sindoor: Have Chinese air-defence systems failed Pakistan yet again?

A site of Indian armed forces' strike in Bahawalpur, in Pakistan. (Courtesy: Indian Army)

Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the wee hours of Wednesday. The strikes, carried out under 'Operation Sindoor', destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) base Muridke. India's response came in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people - mostly tourists.

The precision strikes involved human sources, satellite imagery and intercepted the messages to locate the LeT and JeM compounds.

The operation was launched a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, gave the armed forces "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

How India destroyed Pakistan, PoK terror camps?

Armed forces used a range of advanced, high-precision strike weapons. These included the SCALP cruise missile, the HAMMER precision-guided bomb, and loitering munitions. All these strike weapons have been designed for long-range and accurate targeting of enemy installations.

1. French-origin SCALP cruise missiles, launched from Rafale fighter jets, are known for its long range of over 500km, stealth characteristics and terrain-hugging flight path. Also known as Storm Shadow, SCALP missiles bypassed Pakistan’s HQ-9 and LY-80 (HQ-16) air defence systems, which failed to detect or stop the incoming precision strikes.

2. The HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) smart bomb was used to strike reinforced bunkers and multi-storey buildings that were being used as training and logistical centres by terrorist groups. A precision-guided, HAAMMER is a standoff munition capable of striking targets in the range of 50-70km depending on the altitude of launch.

3. Also known as kamikaze drones, loitering munitions were deployed for surveillance, target acquisition and terminal strike roles. These drone systems hover over target areas and either autonomously or under remote control identify and eliminate threats.

Is China behind Pakistan's failure?

In a huge setback for Pakistan, its radar system failed massively to detect the Indian strikes in real time. Reports suggest Pakistani airspace was guarded by HQ-9 and LY-80 air defence systems but SCALP missile used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) bypassed them.

Supplied by China, both HQ-9 and LY-80 air defence systems were supplemented with early warning radars and electronic jammers. Islamabad even promoted them as a robust shield against aerial threats.

Modelled after Russia's S-300, HQ-9 is marketed as capable of detecting and neutralizing threats mid-air. However, during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's radar system failed to detect or stop the incoming precision strikes.

The stealth coating on SCALP made it exceptionally hard for radar systems to detect. In addition, India executed the operation during a nationwide civil defence mock drill, using the element of surprise to ensure zero anticipation from Pakistan’s air defence network.