Operation Sindoor becomes a sharp sales pitch for India

Operation Sindoor was not just India's response to a Pahalgam terror attack sponsored by Pakistan. It also proved to be a splendid show of India's indigenous weapons and weapon systems. At a time when India is trying to emerge as a weapons exporter, Operation Sindoor has yielded a big collateral benefit. India got an opportunity to test its weapons in real-time conditions. Along with indigenising defence manufacturing under its Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, India is also trying to emerge as a defence exporter. India has historically been a major net importer of defense equipment, but is now making significant strides towards self-reliance and aims to become a net exporter. After the military operation, several countries have shown interest in India's indigenously developed weapons. The latest is France, which is interested in Indian long-range weapons.

Also Read: French Army chief keen on Indian long-range weapons

'OK. Tested': Op. Sindoor stamped India's indigenous might

India used a diverse mix of Russian, French, Israeli and indigenous weapons and military hardware but the four-day 'near-war' provided India a rare occasion to exhibit indigenous weapons and defence systems in real scenarios. Operation Sindoor can turn out to be a big promotion of India-made weapons in the world since they are now battle-tested in a war-like situation with a peer power.

The indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile defense system has proven its effectiveness in countering Pakistani drone attacks on India. Both the Indian Army and Air Force have strategically deployed this missile system along the entire Pakistan border.

Alongside other notable projects like Agni and Prithvi, Akash was developed as a medium-range surface-to-air missile. DRDO, in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), spearheaded the development of the Akash system. The primary role of this system is to protect vulnerable areas and assets from enemy aircraft, drones and helicopters. It can engage multiple threats simultaneously, either in group or autonomous mode. Its real-time multi-sensor data processing and threat evaluation enable it to target multiple threats from any direction at once.

Also Read: India’s indigenous weapons are turning cost into combat power

In 2022, Armenia placed an order for 15 Akash missile systems, valued at approximately Rs 6,000 crore (around $720 million). The first batch, comprising four launchers, three missiles each, and a Rajendra fire-control radar, was dispatched in November 2024. The Philippines, Egypt, Vietnam and Brazil have shown interest in this system.

The Anti-drone D-4 system, Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat electronics Ltd (BEL), beat the onslaught of Turkish drones by the Pakistani military. It is a Drone Detect, Deter, Destroy (D4) system. It is capable of performing real-time search, detection, tracking and neutralization (soft/hard kill) of the flying drones (micro/small UAVs) and provides object details.

Nagastra-1 was part of various loitering munitions used by India during Operation Sindoor. The drone boasts a kamikaze mode with GPS-enabled targeting for precise strikes, delivering an accuracy of within 2 meters. The Indian Army last year in June inducted the Nagastra-1 Loiter Munition, the country's first indigenous suicide drone. Developed by Nagpur-based Solar Industries, the Nagastra-1 is a man-portable weaponized drone system designed to neutralize enemy threats with high precision. SkyStriker is another loitering munition or suicide drone used during Operation Sindoor. It is manufactured in India with Israeli partnership. SkyStriker drones used in Operation Indoor were manufactured in an industrial estate in western Bengaluru. The production was part of a joint venture between Bengaluru-based Alpha Design (owned by Adani Group) and Israel's Elbit Security Systems.

India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile made a debut during Operation Sindoor when the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted coordinated precision strikes on Pakistani airbases. The hits by BrahMos air-launched cruise missiles on air bases deep within Pakistan and one quite close to its nuclear command, which disabled Pakistan's air offence capabilities, finally forced Pakistan to beg for a ceasefire.

The BrahMos missiles are the biggest showpiece of India's defence exports. In April, the second batch of BrahMos systems was dispatched to the Philippines which had signed a $375 million deal to buy BrahMos in 2022. BrahMos is generating significant interest globally. ""Indonesia is interested...There are other countries also who have shown interest in Brahmos...Some countries in the Middle East and some other countries in Southeast Asia," DRDO Chairperson Samir V Kamat had told ANI.

What has caught French attention?

French Army chief General Pierre Schill, who is in the national capital for the UN Troop Contributing Countries Chiefs conference, has told ET in an interview the two nations can look at co-developing capabilities for the emerging battlefield, including in the areas of artificial intelligence and electronic warfare. "I'm interested in looking at what are the systems used by the Indian Army because it is a time when I'm renewing my own long-range artillery systems," the general said, referring to the possible acquisition of long-range Pinaka rocket systems by French forces.

Months before Operation Sindoor, France had expressed interest in acquiring a longer-range version of the indigenous Pinaka rocket system, which has proven accurate and cost-effective. Demonstrations of the system have already been made to France in the past. Gen Schill said while India and France can cooperate in all new domains of warfare, long-range systems and loitering munitions are of specific interest. "The Indian Army is using those systems very accurately because of your industry and because of the way they are able to adapt them to operations. And what we have seen in Operation Sindoor is very important," he said. The officer, who met Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday, also identified counter-drone capabilities as an area for cooperation. "Perhaps electronic warfare, artificial intelligence are domains in which cooperation could be very efficient because of the ability of our two armies," Gen Schill said.

France’s interest both validates Indian systems and offers an opportunity. If France begins formal orders or joint programmes based on what was demonstrated in Operation Sindoor in addition to Pinaka rockets, that could encourage other Western or advanced militaries to pay more attention. It’s a form of certification from a developed country.

India's weapons edge

Operation SIndoor has shown proven performance of Indian weapons under duress. A system's ability to function under combat stress, such as handling UAV/drone swarms, nighttime/complex targeting, and integrating command control, enhances trust. Some systems, like Akashteer, are being credited with nearly perfect or very high kill/intercept ratios.

This matters because in defence markets, trust is built by demonstration. A weapon that has only existed in brochure form, or has been tested under restricted conditions, is one thing. But the one that is deployed in a real operation, including counter‑drone attacks, loitering munitions usage, operational logistics, etc, becomes much more credible. India’s defence ecosystem, both PSUs and private players, are going to benefit from this.

Indian systems can be much cheaper compared to Western or some other alternatives, especially when adjusted for maintenance, integration and lifecycle costs. Buyers who are sensitive to price but need capability see this as an attractive value proposition. The global arms market is competitive where India can carve out a niche especially among nations that want high capability without the premium cost.

Many of the systems are either developed by DRDO with Indian industry, or joint ventures (e.g. BrahMos) so there's some flexibility, sovereign control and possible customization. Also, the supply chain is maturing, with domestic component manufacturing, etc. This gives strategic buyers confidence in continued support.

While India's weapons sales pitch is strengthened by Operation Sindoor, there are still areas India needs to leverage further and obstacles to navigate. From regulation and licensing to cutting-edge technology to predictable and clear frameworks of delivery and support, India needs to improve on several counts to compete with the best in the industry. With the government's policy backing and a rush of private firms into defence manufacturing, India is all poised to emerge as a competitive arms exporter.