Op Sindoor: Before-after satellite images show massive damage to Pak bases after Indian air strikes
Recent satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies has revealed extensive damage to four key Pakistani air bases following India's precision strike operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025. The satellite photos, dated between April 25 and May 11, show visible structural damage at Nur Khan Air Base (Rawalpindi), PAF Base Mushaf (Sargodha), Bholari Air Base, and PAF Base Shahbaz (Jacobabad). At Nur Khan Air Base, images from April 25 and May 10 reveal damaged facilities, suggesting a direct strike. At Mushaf Base, photos taken between April 30 and May 10 show significant damage to the runway and nearby structures. Bholari Air Base sustained similar precision damage, with satellite shots from April 27 and May 11 revealing hits on the runway and at least one building. Shahbaz Base also shows visible damage to a structure when comparing April 30 and May 11 images.
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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
India's defence drones: Powered by high-end manufacturing tools
India's recent military operation, Operation Sindoor, marked a pivotal shift in the strategic role of indigenous drones. These systems provided real-time surveillance, resisted electronic warfare, and enabled precision targeting, showcasing India's growing frontline capabilities while also exposing significant vulnerabilities. With nearly 70% of commercial drone components still imported, mainly from China, India remains dependent on external supply chains. This disconnect between operational success and manufacturing reliance highlights an urgent priority: converting battlefield effectiveness into backend self-reliance. Building a robust and competitive domestic drone ecosystem is not merely a technological goal but a strategic necessity. This image shows a damaged building at Nur Khan airbase after Indian airstrikes. Prior to this, Pakistan used drones and heavy artillery to hit civilian areas across the LoC, resulting in casualties.(via REUTERS) Countries such as the US, China, and Turkey have built strong drone ecosystems by aligning defence goals with industrial policies. The US draws on its mature defence-industrial base and ongoing research and defence (R&D). China benefits from State-backed manufacturing clusters and aggressive export initiatives. Turkey advances domestic production through public-private partnerships and international collaboration. These models offer useful lessons for India. To stay competitive in a drone market projected to exceed $50 billion by 2030, India must establish clear policy, scale industrial capacity, and define a cohesive national strategy. India's drones are evolving beyond passive surveillance tools. In Operation Sindoor, they supported precision strikes and shaped tactical decisions, establishing unmanned systems as central to modern combat. The government responded with emergency procurement, revised defence policies, and increased support for domestic drone makers. These steps indicate a strategic shift. India aims not just to use drones, but to design, build, and sustain them locally. However, assembling drones addresses only part of the need. Developing effective UAVs demands a strong manufacturing base built on precision engineering, high-performance materials, and a skilled workforce. Key components like propulsion units, airframes, and sensor housings must meet rigorous aerospace standards. Materials such as titanium and Inconel provide necessary durability and heat resistance but are challenging to work with. Manufacturing them requires advanced technologies including five-axis machining, hybrid additive-subtractive manufacturing, and electrical discharge machining. Securing the domestic supply chain for UAV components is essential, not just for industry, but for national security. In times of conflict, disruptions in foreign supply could compromise defence operations. Indian UAV firms are increasingly integrating advanced five-axis CNC machines and hybrid 3D printing tools to meet the demands of defence-grade component manufacturing. This reflects a broader shift in India's precision engineering landscape, demonstrating how access to advanced tools can transform domestic manufacturing. India plans to invest about $470 million in UAVs over the next 12 to 24 months, almost triple its pre-conflict spending levels. While drone assembly units have expanded, India still imports many of the subsystems and parts. Valued at $654 million in 2024, the Indian drone market is expected to more than double to $1.43 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 17%. In the same period, the number of drones in India is projected to increase from 10,803 units to over 61,000. Behind this growth is a thriving ecosystem of innovators and businesses. Beyond defence, drones are reshaping civilian sectors such as agriculture, mining, logistics, and emergency response. Their applications in crop monitoring, surveying, and disaster relief increase efficiency and unlock new revenue and job opportunities. By supporting real-time data collection and precise operations, drones can modernise traditional industries and drive rural economic growth. Dual-use capabilities help Indian manufacturers scale more quickly, access wider markets, and support sectors like telecom and public safety, boosting the economic impact of drone technology. A skilled workforce is essential to realising this potential. Indian MSMEs and startups are innovating in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based navigation and propulsion systems. However, their progress depends on access to advanced tools, reliable financing, and targeted training. Centres of Excellence, industry-academia partnerships, and vocational skilling programmes can help prepare drone engineers, machinists, and technicians. Structured apprenticeships and continued education will keep India's drone manufacturing competitive with global peers. Closing the capability gap requires collaboration among defence R&D institutions, machine tool manufacturers, and UAV makers. Policymakers must streamline procurement, expand capital access, and incentivise domestic sourcing. Infrastructure such as drone parks, testing corridors, and innovation zones can support scaling efforts. Recent steps like the Drone Directorate and production-linked incentives offer a foundation. India now needs faster and more coordinated execution. India has a limited but critical window to lead in the global drone economy. To seize this opportunity, the country must prioritise three enablers: Scaling precision manufacturing capabilities, strengthening domestic supply chains for core components, and investing in workforce development through targeted skilling initiatives and technical education. Scaling up precision manufacturing will strengthen defence readiness and contribute to the $5 trillion economy goal. If India sustains its momentum, it can emerge as a global hub for drone production and services. Precision engineering is not just a technical strength. It is the bedrock of strategic autonomy. While drones operate in the skies, national power is built on the ground. This article is authored by Anuj Budhiraja, vice president, Phillips Additive.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
In A First, Israel Uses Barak System Co-Developed By India To Shoot Down Iran's Drones
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Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Pakistan to get 40 more J-35 stealth jets soon: What are its capabilities and should India be concerned?
China will soon supply 40 J-35 stealth fighter jets to Pakistan, elevating the Pakistan Air Force into the elite league of fifth-generation aircraft operators. According to a government announcement, deliveries are expected to begin by the end of this year. This marks the first international export of the J-35, a platform still in its early stages of deployment even within China's own military. Pakistan will receive the FC-31 variant of the J-35. It's the land-based version designed for export and ground operations, distinct from the naval version meant for China's aircraft carriers. The model is equipped with an infrared search-and-track system mounted on its nose and can link with other weapon systems to share target data. Why It matters for India India currently has no fifth-generation stealth jet in its arsenal. That's a major concern, say defence analysts. Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd.) told NDTV , "It is worrying news... any version of the J-35 in Pakistani colours is going to raise concerns for our side." While India enjoys superiority with its Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters, the arrival of stealth aircraft in Pakistan could narrow this gap significantly. Ahlawat added that India had considered acquiring either the F-35 or Russia's Su-57 but said, "These are bad choices. The only good choice is AMCA." J-35's capabilities: What we know so far The J-35, also called the J-35A, is China's second fifth-generation fighter after the J-20. Built by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the jet made its public debut at the Zhuhai Air Show in November 2024 and later featured in model form at the 2025 Paris Air Show. Live Events This twin-engine, supersonic jet includes features such as an active electronically scanned array radar, an electro-optical targeting system, and a radar cross-section of just 0.001 square metres. That makes it nearly invisible to conventional radars, a capability on par with the U.S. F-35. China Daily reports that the aircraft can "share targets' position with other weapon systems" and can also use its radar to guide other munitions to those targets. Global Times quoted an unnamed expert who said the J-35 gives an advantage in "first detection, first strike," and in securing "operational advantages." China's design push: Inspired or stolen? What's stirred international interest is the J-35's uncanny resemblance to the American F-35 Lightning II. While analysts speculate on whether China borrowed design elements from stolen U.S. data, platforms like The War Zone have noted that copying the F-35 would be nearly impossible due to its complexity. In 2009, the U.S. government confirmed a cyber intrusion targeting its F-35 programme. Frank Kendall, then Pentagon acquisitions chief, admitted in a 2013 Senate hearing, 'I'm reasonably confident that classified information is safe, but not all confident about the unclassified information.' A year later, a Los Angeles grand jury indicted Su Bin, a Chinese businessman, for helping PLA hackers steal over 630,000 files relating to the F-22, F-35 and C-17 aircraft. A wake-up call for India's AMCA programme India's answer to the stealth gap is the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the execution model in May, but the jet isn't expected to fly before 2035. Until then, experts are urging urgent upgrades to India's air surveillance and defence systems. India's current detection radars may struggle to pick up stealth aircraft like the J-35 until they are too close for comfort. China's ambitions: Mass production on the horizon Wang Yongqing, chief designer at the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute, told Global Times that the J-35A was created under an "air-sea twin configuration" and "one aircraft, multiple variants" model. This allows for faster development and cheaper production. "Many of our research achievements can be applied across different variants, such as sensors, onboard equipment, and avionics systems," he said. "This will correspondingly reduce future maintenance costs and improve logistical efficiency." Wang compared the J-35A's battlefield role to a basketball point guard: "The J-35A not only demonstrates outstanding 'scoring ability,' but also effectively coordinates other battlefield assets for joint operations." With Pakistan preparing to field a fifth-generation fleet and China ready to mass produce, India finds itself on the back foot. And the clock is ticking. The AMCA remains India's only viable option to restore parity. But the stealth gap is real — and it's already looming over the subcontinent.
