'OK. Tested': Operation Sindoor has thrown up many bestsellers

Operation Sindoor has not only avenged Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam terror attack, it has also displayed India's muscular military 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.

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 becoming a net exporter. Defence exports have surged to a record high of Rs 23,622 crore (approx. US$ 2.76 Billion) in 2024-25, a growth of Rs 2,539 crore or 12.04% over 2023-24.

Operation Sindoor has brought to limelight several of India's indigenously built weapons and weapons system which can now attract more buyers around the world, especially among smaller countries. Below are some of these which have proven themselves during Operation Sindoor:

Akash missile system
The indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile defense system has proven its effectiveness in countering Pakistani drone attacks on India. During the night between May 8 and 9, the Indian Army successfully defended against multiple drone incursions by Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. Defense officials have confirmed that the Made-in-India Akash system has been instrumental in thwarting Pakistani attacks on Indian targets. Both the Indian Army and Air Force have strategically deployed this missile system along the entire Pakistan border.

The genesis of the Akash missile system dates back to the 1980s, under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), initiated by the Indian government to achieve self-sufficiency in missile technology. 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. It operates at a range of 4.5 km to 25 km and is a medium-range surface-to-air system designed to protect forces from aerial threats. It is capable of engaging up to 64 targets in tracking mode and simultaneously engaging up to 12 targets in active mode. Its open system architecture allows integration into current and future air defence networks.

In 2021, India approved the export of the Akash system to friendly countries. Several countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa have reportedly expressed interest. The system's relatively low cost, combined with its proven capability in diverse Indian terrains, makes it an attractive option for countries looking for reliable air defense without the premium pricing of Western systems.

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.

Anti-drone D-4 system
Former Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) G Satheesh Reddy on Sunday highlighted that Operation Sindoor showcased the country's growing self-reliance in defence technologies. "Many indigenous based technologies were used in this war and this war was an Atmanirbhar-based warfare... The anti-drone systems, which were developed both by DRDO and industry, were very successfully used as a huge number of drones were coming in," he told ANI.

One of the systems Reddy was referring to is the anti-drone D-4 system. This indigenously developed anti-drone system has beaten the onslaught of Turkish drones by the Pakistani military during Operation Sindoor.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat electronics Ltd (BEL), 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. Its jamming functions include GPS spoofing to misguide the drone and jamming radio frequency. It can also fire laser-directed energy weapons that melt key components and projectiles to bring down drones.

Nagastra-1
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.

Loiter munition or suicide drones are single-use weapons that fly into their targets and detonate on impact. They are capable of circling above a target and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They are typically designed to loiter around a target area until a target is located, then attack the target by crashing into it.

Nagastra-1 is 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.

SkyStriker
SkyStriker is another loitering munition or suicide drone which is manufactured in India with Israeli partnership. SkyStriker drones used in Opersation 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.

SkyStriker is a cost-effective solution for long-range precision strikes. The drone supports direct aerial fire missions and enhances operational awareness and survivability for ground forces. Elbit describes the drone as one that "flies like a UAS (unmanned aircraft system) and strikes like a missile." The company adds, “As a silent, invisible, and surprise attacker, SkyStriker delivers the utmost in precision and reliability, providing a critical advantage in the modern battlefield.”

BrahMos missile
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 on May 10. 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 missile is one of India’s most advanced and formidable precision-strike weapons. Jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that combines speed, accuracy, and versatility, making it a key component of India’s strategic deterrence.

BrahMos has a speed of Mach 2.8 to Mach 3.0 which is nearly three times the speed of sound. This high speed significantly reduces enemy reaction time and enhances penetration capability against air defense systems. It can hit a target with an accuracy of one meter. "A glimpse of the valour of BrahMos missile was seen during Operation Sindoor and if that was not enough, one should ask Pakistanis about it," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday during the inauguration of BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility at Lucknow.

The BrahMos missiles are the biggest showpiece of India's defence exports. Last month, 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," Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairperson Samir V Kamat told ANI recently.

Now with BrahMos having been battle-tested, giving the conflict a decisive turn by forcing Pakistan into a ceasefire, they can attract more buyers.