PM Modi drove India's transformation into modern defence power post-2014: US warfare expert John Spencer hails Op Sindoor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Courtesy: PTI photo)

US military veteran John Spencer on Thursday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming India into a modern defence power through the 'Make in India' initiative.

"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," he said.

Spencer noted how Make in India helped incentivise joint ventures and opened defense to foreign direct investment (FDI) up to 74%. It encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers to build sophisticated military hardware at home, he added.

The US warfare expert emphasised on India's bold move to start manufacturing indigenous weapons systems such as BrahMos missile. "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," Spencer wrote in a post on X.

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile likely helped the Indian armed forces target several strategic locations deep inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor which India launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The indigenously-developed Brahmos missile, first tested successfully on June 12, 2001, can be launched from land, sea and air.

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," Spencer wrote.

The US military veteran, who hailed Operation Sindoor as a decisive military victory earlier this month, asserted that India didn't just win on the battlefield, it won the technology referendum. He highlighted how Pakistan, which relied heavily on Chinese air defence systems, suffered losses during Operation Sindoor.

"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," Spencer posted.

According to the former US Army officer, Atmanirbhar Bharat - which PM Modi unveiled for economic self-sufficiency, became a national security doctrine. "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. 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 defence procurement from 30% to 65%," he said.

"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 defence transformation," Spencer added.

The top warfare expert mentioned how India deployed Harop and SkyStriker drones —precision-guided 'kamikaze' munitions that loiter over the battlefield and dive onto enemy targets. "Harop is manufactured under license by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) aka IAI-BEL; SkyStriker is assembled domestically through an Elbit JV. They were used to destroy mobile radars, convoys, and high-value enemy infrastructure with minimal collateral damage," his post read.

https://t.co/CkxSUVgE3B

John Spencer (@SpencerGuard) May 29, 2025

Spencer took note of other indigenously-developed missiles and drone defense systems which showcased India's offensive capabilities and effectiveness of surveillance. He underlined how Akashteer proved to be one of the strongest shields when Pakistan resorted to drone and missile attacks during Operation Sindoor.

"The Akash surface-to-air missile, developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Bharat Dynamics, is an all-weather, mobile air defense system with a range of 25–30 km. It was integrated with the Akashteer Command & Control System, an AI-enhanced air defense network that provides real-time data fusion, enabling coordinated response to multiple airborne threats—including drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft," he added.

The post also featured Rudram Anti-Radiation Missile, India's first indigenously developed anti-radiation missile, deployed to silence Pakistani ground-based radars and degrade situational awareness in key sectors of the Line of Control (LoC).

On how Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control's effectiveness, Spencer said, "It provided real-time tracking of enemy aircraft and missiles, vectoring Indian jets for deep-strike missions. Its effectiveness was evident when Pakistan’s Swedish Saab 2000 AEW&C was destroyed by a long-range missile."

Lauding India's Drone Detect, Deter, and Destroy System (D4S), he noted how it neutralised dozens of Chinese-made Pakistani drones. The system reflects India’s transition from reactive air defense to proactive electronic warfare dominance.

The US warfare expert also highlighted the role of M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer, which was imported from the US but integrated into Indian mountain warfare doctrine. "This howitzer was used with Excalibur precision-guided shells to strike terrorist camps without crossing the LoC. Its airliftability and rapid deployment made it ideal for high-altitude operations," he wrote in his post on X.

Underlining how India deployed some of the most advanced fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, Spencer said, "The Rafale led deep precision strikes using SCALP long-range cruise missiles to hit fortified enemy positions. It also carried Meteor air-to-air missiles, capable of hitting targets over 100 kilometers away—giving India a decisive edge in air combat".

"The Su-30MKI, a Russian-designed twin-engine heavy fighter built under license in India, and the Mirage 2000, another versatile French jet, provided firepower and flexibility, launching multiple strike packages and ensuring airspace control," he added.