Mains Marathon

Approach:

• Briefly explain the objectives of Operation Sindoor.
• Evaluate the calibrated roles played by the Army, Air Force, and Navy in this mission.
• Conclude with the significance of the tri-service approach in defense response.

Introduction:

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was India’s calibrated and intelligence-driven military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. This operation marked a significant milestone in Indian military history as it involved a tri-services approach—the coordinated and seamless effort of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy—aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure with precision targeting, while consciously avoiding escalation into full-scale war.

Body :

Indian Army’s Role :

• Provided integrated ground-based air defence with a layered air defence network including:
  • MANPADS (man-portable air-defence systems).
  • Low-Level Air Defence (LLAD) guns.
  • Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems.
• Played a key role in neutralizing Pakistani retaliatory drone and UCAV attacks on Indian bases.
• Maintained border vigilance and rapid troop mobilization.
• Coordinated with paramilitary forces to prevent escalation on the ground.

Indian Air Force’s Role:

• Delivered the primary strategic blow via precision air strikes targeting:
  • Nine major terrorist camps.
  • Military infrastructure, including Nur Khan Air Base and Rahimyar Khan Air Base.
• Utilized the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) for:
  • Real-time target acquisition.
  • Strike coordination.
• Employed advanced air defence systems such as:
  • Akash missile system (indigenous).
  • Legacy systems like Pechora and OSA-AK for multi-layered aerial defence.

Indian Navy’s Role:

• Ensured maritime domain surveillance and deterrence.
• Deployed a Carrier Battle Group (CBG) equipped with:
  • MiG-29K fighters.
  • Airborne early warning helicopters.
• Provided continuous monitoring of sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.
• Prevented maritime provocations, signaling India’s power projection beyond land and air domains.

Ensuring Mission Success Without Full-Scale War:

• Tri-services jointness led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) ensured seamless coordination.
• Real-time intelligence sharing enabled precise target engagement with minimal collateral damage, upholding operational ethics.
• Flexible, last-moment target finalization reflected calibrated escalation control, delivering a strong deterrence message without triggering a wider conflict.

Conclusion:

Operation Sindoor exemplified India's modern doctrine of calibrated response underpinned by tri-services integration. This exemplifies India’s maturing defense doctrine, where jointness, technology, and precision define success. It reflects the principle that modern conflicts require strategic calibration over large-scale warfare. As Sun Tzu said, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”