India destroyed many terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
New Delhi: In response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, which was very successful. However, this operation also revealed that India needs to prepare further to deal with drone attacks. While India inflicted significant damage on Pakistan’s military and terrorist infrastructure, the use of drones by Pakistan during the operation exposed the limitations of our aerial security. Therefore, experts say that India needs a C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) system. This system will prove to be quite helpful in dealing with aerial threats like drones.
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor began on May 6-7 in which India destroyed 9 terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Following this, Pakistan began attempts to target Indian military and residential areas. India thwarted the Pakistani attacks and destroyed 11 of its airbases in retaliation. India used BrahMos and Akash missiles during this period. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s F-18 and J-17 fighter jets were also destroyed. On May 10, India agreed to a ceasefire request from Pakistan after four days.
Need for new drone defense systems
There is no doubt that India’s missile defense system has successfully thwarted Pakistani attacks. During ‘Operation Sindoor,’ Pakistan attempted to target us with hundreds of drones made in China and Turkey. Defense experts believe that Pakistan’s relentless drone attacks have exposed the limits of our air defense. India possesses air defense systems like the S-400, purchased from Russia, which is considered one of the best air defense systems in the world. Additionally, India has its Akash air defense system and other protective measures that performed excellently during Operation Sindoor. However, defense experts feel that all these air defense systems are primarily designed to defend against attacks from missiles, fighter jets, and rockets, and they are effective in preventing such attacks. Yet, there is a need for something else to defend against low-altitude drone attacks.
C-RAM system
India has an urgent need to develop a C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) system to deal with low-altitude aerial threats. Such systems would further enhance the security of military bases along the border. The report states that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched missiles manufactured in China. The S-400 system successfully intercepted them. However, it faced difficulties in detecting and destroying small drones. Pakistan used drones made in Turkey and China which were neutralised by the Indian Armed Forces with air defense guns.
C-RAM systems are designed to destroy low-altitude threats such as rockets, artillery shells, mortars, and drones, similar to the U.S. Phalanx or Israeli Iron Dome.
