In Pics: The Air Defence System That Gave India Edge During Op Sindoor
India's Air Defence Systems proved their prowess at the height of the tensions with Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor', intercepting numerous drones, missiles, micro UAVs, and loitering munitions, emerging as a globally actionable defence asset.
Here is a look at India's 'Guardians Of The Sky' that gave it edge during Operation Sindoor
India's integrated air defence system is an automated system integrates data from forces to combat aerial threats.
It includes systems operated by the Army, Navy and the Air Force, which was brought together under the Integrated Air Command and Control System.
This is followed by a second layer that includes to-a-point defence systems to protect specific areas or assets.
The fourth, for area-defence, are long-range SAMs fired from the Russian-made S-400 and the fighter jets.
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu emerging as key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, and other electronic defence systems
The Union govt referred to Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory strike to the Pahalgam terror attack, as a milestone in the nation's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations — in drone warfare, layered air defence, and electronic warfare. The operation significantly boosted demand for drones manufactured by indigenous companies. Projections peg the size of the Indian drone market to hit $11 billion by 2030, accounting for 12.2% of the global drone market. The ban on imported drones and the launch of the PLI scheme for drones and drone components, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sept 30, 2021, with a total incentive of ₹120 crore spread over three Financial Years (FYs), are laying the groundwork for India making huge strides in the drone ecosystem. Tamil Nadu is emerging as a key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, as well as building broader electronic defence systems, including UAV jammers and sophisticated payload delivery systems. The state has notable companies, both startups and veterans, such as Dhaksha, Garuda Aerospace, Zuppa Geo Navigation, ePlane company, Big Bang Boom, Data Patterns, all of which are building strategic UAVs and related technologies. Many of these firms, which had quietly developed defence-grade technologies over the years, are now seeing a surge in interest and keeping them busy with product demonstrations on field in crucial areas. Sai Pattabiram, founder and managing director of Zuppa, which is making small drones and autopilots, says they received 5X increase in order enquiries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. "The way drones were predominantly considered as a tool for surveillance has now changed," he said. Zuppa works closely with the ministry of defence and army units to develop systems suitable for the specific terrains and mission conditions. Garuda Aerospace, traditionally known for agricultural drones, is focussing on defence applications in recent months. "We are developing eight different drone platforms and collaborating with global players such as Lockheed Martin and Thales," said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO. "We have participated in emergency procurement rounds and held about 40 field demonstrations. Our focus now is to design based on ground-level operational needs and co-develop with defence forces." Tamil Nadu is not the only drone manufacturing hub in India. The drone ecosystem is spread in peninsular India, spanning Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, which benefit from the presence of public sector giants like HAL and DRDO. However, Tamil Nadu is attempting to close the gap. Since 2022, the state has ramped up its policy and infrastructure support for the sector. Wing Commander P Madhusoodhanan, vice president of Aerospace and Defence at TIDCO, and CEO of TN UAV corporation, said, "The drone industry is at an inflection point. With military procurement expanding, we expect greater scale and sustainability." The ministry of defence is setting up four UAV testing and certification facilities near Sriperumbudur, expected to be operational by year-end. He said that these centres are focused on unmanned systems, electronic warfare and electro-optics, among the few of their kind in India and will reduce the testing cost in the state and spearhead development. TN companies' role extends beyond making drones. Dr Shivaraman Ramaswamy, CTO of Big Bang Boom Solutions, which has artificial intelligence and EW capabilities, said demand for its anti-drone systems is rising. He further said the state has a suitable environment for manufacturing defence systems, with the advantage of using electronics manufacturing service and fabrication from engineering firms. The presence of one of the country's two defence corridors, expertise in auto, aerospace and electronics manufacturing, vibrant research by educational institutions such as MIT, IIT-M, huge capacity for training drone pilots and training the trainers puts TN in a sweet spot in defence drones. Yet, challenges persist. The lack of indigenous supply chains remains a concern. Executives TOI spoke to said the union govt should hold more consultation with the companies doing actual work and urged the state govt to facilitate consultation. Many press the need for handholding by armed forces in designing and developing the technologies as more important than subsidies.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu emerging as key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, and other electronic defence systems
The Union govt referred to Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory strike to the Pahalgam terror attack, as a milestone in the nation's journey towards technological self-reliance in military operations — in drone warfare, layered air defence, and electronic warfare. The operation significantly boosted demand for drones manufactured by indigenous companies. Projections peg the size of the Indian drone market to hit $11 billion by 2030, accounting for 12.2% of the global drone market. The ban on imported drones and the launch of the PLI scheme for drones and drone components, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sept 30, 2021, with a total incentive of Rs 120 crore spread over three Financial Years (FYs), are laying the groundwork for India making huge strides in the drone ecosystem. Tamil Nadu is emerging as a key contributor in manufacturing drones for the armed forces, as well as building broader electronic defence systems, including UAV jammers and sophisticated payload delivery systems. The state has notable companies, both startups and veterans, such as Dhaksha, Garuda Aerospace, Zuppa Geo Navigation, ePlane company, Big Bang Boom, Data Patterns, all of which are building strategic UAVs and related technologies. Many of these firms, which had quietly developed defence-grade technologies over the years, are now seeing a surge in interest and keeping them busy with product demonstrations on field in crucial areas. Sai Pattabiram, founder and managing director of Zuppa, which is making small drones and autopilots, says they received 5X increase in order enquiries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. "The way drones were predominantly considered as a tool for surveillance has now changed," he said. Zuppa works closely with the ministry of defence and army units to develop systems suitable for the specific terrains and mission conditions. Garuda Aerospace, traditionally known for agricultural drones, is focussing on defence applications in recent months. "We are developing eight different drone platforms and collaborating with global players such as Lockheed Martin and Thales," said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO. "We have participated in emergency procurement rounds and held about 40 field demonstrations. Our focus now is to design based on ground-level operational needs and co-develop with defence forces. " Tamil Nadu is not the only drone manufacturing hub in India. The drone ecosystem is spread in peninsular India, spanning Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, which benefit from the presence of public sector giants like HAL and DRDO. However, Tamil Nadu is attempting to close the gap. Since 2022, the state has ramped up its policy and infrastructure support for the sector. Wing Commander P Madhusoodhanan, vice president of Aerospace and Defence at TIDCO, and CEO of TN UAV corporation, said, "The drone industry is at an inflection point. With military procurement expanding, we expect greater scale and sustainability." The ministry of defence is setting up four UAV testing and certification facilities near Sriperumbudur, expected to be operational by year-end. He said that these centres are focused on unmanned systems, electronic warfare and electro-optics, among the few of their kind in India and will reduce the testing cost in the state and spearhead development. TN companies' role extends beyond making drones. Dr Shivaraman Ramaswamy, CTO of Big Bang Boom Solutions, which has artificial intelligence and EW capabilities, said demand for its anti-drone systems is rising. He further said the state has a suitable environment for manufacturing defence systems, with the advantage of using electronics manufacturing service and fabrication from engineering firms. The presence of one of the country's two defence corridors, expertise in auto, aerospace and electronics manufacturing, vibrant research by educational institutions such as MIT, IIT-M, huge capacity for training drone pilots and training the trainers puts TN in a sweet spot in defence drones. Yet, challenges persist. The lack of indigenous supply chains remains a concern. Executives TOI spoke to said the union govt should hold more consultation with the companies doing actual work and urged the state govt to facilitate consultation. Many press the need for handholding by armed forces in designing and developing the technologies as more important than subsidies.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- The Hindu
Work hard to enable India to take humans to moon by 2040: Former ISRO Chief tells youth
Former ISRO Chief and Space Commission member A.S. Kiran Kumar on Sunday asked youth to work hard to make India a space capable nation and enable the country to take humans to moon by 2040. Speaking on the topic 'Igniting the future: ISRO's legacy and beyond', at the Ramakrishna Mutt in Mangaluru on Sunday, Mr. Kumar said the nation, which is moving towards becoming world's largest economy, cannot ignore space economy. The space economy is a trillion dollar economy. Space tourism and space adventure provided tremendous opportunity. Mr. Kumar said, 'Unless our capability in space mission is demonstrated other nations will not take note of India. Youngsters should become leaders and showcase our capability in space science.' Works are on towards having country's own space station by 2035. 'By 2040 we have to take humans to moon and bring them back,' the former ISRO chief said. The government is allowing more people to work in space science. Private entities and consortium of firms are being allowed to launch their satellites. Since the start of the space programme for non-military purpose in October 1957, ISRO has leapfrogged in space technology to indigenously develop different launch pads and launch a number of satellites, he said. 'NavIC, the country's own satellite-based navigation system developed by ISRO, is helping fishermen to navigate through sea in a safe way and find fish. With the feed from satellites and other information, there is advance information about cyclones, which has helped government to evacuate and save lives of people from places that are likely to be affected,' he said. The feed from satellites is also helping forecast crop yield. The use of satellites in hitting precise targets in enemy nation was demonstrated in the recent Operation Sindoor, he said. The youth, he said, are left with lot of problems to solve. 'You have tremendous capability. Rise and lead the country to regain the glory as the place of harmony and peace,' he said.
