Operation Sindoor: India’s Triumph and China’s Strategic Failure, Explained by US Analyst John Spencer
In what is now being called a watershed moment in South Asian military history, Operation Sindoor has not only crushed Pakistan-backed terror infrastructure but also delivered a powerful global message: India’s indigenous defence ecosystem is battle-tested and victorious.
That is the powerful assessment by John Spencer, a renowned American military strategist and Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, who has published an explosive analysis titled “India's Operation Sindoor: A Battlefield Verdict on Chinese Weapons — And India's Victory.”
“India showed the world what self-reliance in modern warfare looks like — and proved that ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ works under fire,” wrote Spencer.
A Campaign of Firepower and Strategy
Triggered by the horrific April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 Indian civilians in Jammu & Kashmir, Operation Sindoor was a swift, multidomain retaliation. The Indian military launched precision strikes deep into Pakistani territory, targeting terror launch pads, radar stations, and communication nodes — all without crossing the Line of Control.
But what made the campaign stand out was not just its effectiveness — it was the origin of its arsenal.
“Operation Sindoor pitted India’s indigenously developed systems against Chinese exports fielded by Pakistan. India didn’t just win militarily — it won the technology referendum,” wrote Spencer.
‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Under Fire — And Victorious
John Spencer traces the roots of India’s victory back to 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Make in India initiative. The goal: reduce reliance on foreign arms and develop an independent defence industrial base.
From the BrahMos missile to the AK-203 rifle, the campaign showcased a battlefield debut of an Indian-made sovereign arsenal, bolstered by foreign tech partnerships but led by local control.
“India fought as a sovereign power — wielding precision tools it designed, built, and deployed with unmatched battlefield control,” he said.
Weapons That Made the Difference
Spencer’s report offers rare insights into how India's military hardware shaped the outcome:
BrahMos Missiles
Co-developed with Russia and now produced in India, these supersonic cruise missiles destroyed hardened Pakistani targets like radar installations and bunkers with precision and speed.
Akash Air Defence + Akashteer C2 System
India’s AI-driven integrated air defence neutralized airborne threats, from drones to missiles, showcasing real-time battlefield control.
Rudram-1 Anti-Radiation Missiles
These DRDO-designed missiles took out enemy radars, blinding Pakistani surveillance and jamming its communications.
Netra AEW&C System
Built on the Embraer platform by DRDO, it provided live battlefield data, guiding IAF jets during deep strikes. Notably, it vectored Indian aircraft that destroyed Pakistan's Swedish Saab 2000 AEW&C platform.
Harop and SkyStriker Kamikaze Drones
Used to hit mobile radar units and enemy convoys. These loitering munitions struck with minimal collateral damage, a sharp contrast to Pakistan’s outdated ISR capabilities.
D4S Anti-Drone Systems
Neutralized dozens of Chinese-made drones used by Pakistan, turning the airspace into a one-sided electronic war zone.
M777 Howitzers & Precision Shells
Light, airliftable, and accurate — the M777s were used to pound terrorist camps without breaching the LoC, proving India's commitment to both precision and restraint.
Rafale, Su-30MKI & Mirage 2000
With SCALP and Meteor missiles, Indian jets dominated the air. Spencer detailed how they flew under the protective eye of the Netra AEW&C, while Rudram missiles cleared enemy defences.
The JF-17 and HQ-9: Chinese Tech Fails Under Fire
In a scathing indictment of Chinese military exports, Spencer noted that Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese-supplied systems backfired:
- JF-17 Thunder jets, co-developed with China, failed to match Indian airpower. “Their limited payload, outdated radar, and poor survivability were exposed under Indian EW pressure,” wrote Spencer.
- The HQ-9 and HQ-16 — China's supposed equivalents to Russia’s S-300 and Buk — could not stop India’s BrahMos missiles or drones. These systems were “easily bypassed.”
- The LY-80 and FM-90 failed to track India’s low-flying precision drones.
- CH-4 drones, widely used by Pakistan for ISR, were repeatedly jammed or shot down.
- Pakistan had to bring in Turkish operators to manage UAVs, exposing their lack of technical capability.
- Most notably, the Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft, crucial to Pakistan’s air command, was destroyed—possibly by India’s S-400 system—crippling airspace surveillance.
India’s Military Modernization Pays Off
The real story behind Operation Sindoor is a decade of defence transformation:
- FDI limits raised to 74% in defence
- Emergency procurement powers granted to armed forces
- Phased import bans pushed private and public sector innovation
- Domestic content in procurement rose from 30% (2014) to 65% (2025), with a 90% goal by 2030
Investor Confidence and Global Optics
Operation Sindoor’s aftermath extended beyond the battlefield:
- Indian defence stocks surged, reflecting investor confidence in the indigenous defence sector.
- In contrast, Chinese giants like AVIC, NORINCO, and CETC saw steep drops, as their tech was publicly discredited.
Conclusion: A New Strategic Reality
John Spencer's analysis leaves no doubt: Operation Sindoor was not just military retaliation, but a powerful message to adversaries and allies alike.
“India didn’t just fight back. It demonstrated a warfighting capability that is sovereign, sophisticated, and scalable — everything China’s export-grade systems failed to be.”
In many ways, Operation Sindoor may be remembered as the moment India not only rewrote rules of engagement — but rewrote the global perception of what ‘Make in India’ really means.