The Indian Navy is preparing to strengthen its counter-drone capabilities and extend its strike reach in the wake of lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, according to Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti.
Speaking on the sidelines of a tri-services conference, Sobti said the service is evaluating counter-drone systems and long-range attack vectors after analyzing the four-day conflict with Pakistan that unfolded from May 7 – 10.
The deputy chief emphasized the growing challenge posed by low-cost UAS in naval warfare. Warships equipped with expensive surface-to-air missiles, which cost millions of dollars per round, cannot afford to expend such resources against small, inexpensive drones, he explained.
“We have to develop systems, especially counter-UAVs, which will help us take down the low-cost drones,” Sobti said.
He noted that while the Navy’s frontline units were well-prepared during Operation Sindoor, the conflict highlighted the urgent need for more scalable solutions to deal with emerging aerial threats.
“We were ready. So our troops were absolutely raring to go,” Sobti noted, adding that an operational review is guiding the next phase of modernization.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, with Indian forces striking infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territory. The operation led to four days of heightened clashes that concluded on May 10.
According to Sobti, the Navy is now examining how to integrate longer-range strike options to influence targets at sea and on land while also prioritizing layered defenses against drones.
“Most of the lessons learnt following Operation Sindoor and changes being incorporated into the Navy post the operation are being analyzed,” he said.
The Indian Navy’s focus on counter-drone solutions mirrors a wider global shift as militaries seek more cost-effective defenses against an expanding spectrum of unmanned threats.
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Post Image Credit: Indian Ministry of Defence
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