In a significant statement on India’s military preparedness and indigenous defence capabilities, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh hailed the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as a “game-changer” during Operation Sindoor, the cross-border operation targeting terror sites in Pakistan and PoJK.
In an exclusive interview with media, Singh emphasised the Indian Armed Forces’ effective use of both foreign-origin and indigenous weapon systems, citing BrahMos and Akash missile systems as standout performers.
“We were using a mix of foreign-origin and indigenous weapons effectively. And the indigenous weapons that were used did very well—BrahMos, in fact, was probably a game-changer,” Singh said.
He also praised the successful retrofitting of older air defence systems with upgraded radars, enhancing their ability to counter drones and low-flying threats.
“Our ability to retrofit some of our older Air Defence systems improved their capabilities, particularly against drones and other low-flying threats. Those systems worked very well,” he added.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India’s swift response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. The operation reportedly neutralised multiple terrorist infrastructure points across Pakistan and PoJK, while the Indian forces also repelled subsequent Pakistani aggression by striking airbases.
Singh underlined that the operation was marked by seamless coordination among the Army, Air Force, and Navy, stating,
“The services were very well prepared and confident in their precision standoff weapon capabilities needed for this operation.”
Touching on the broader issue of defence preparedness, Singh admitted that while India’s defence modernisation budget has been growing at 7% annually over the last decade, the challenge has been absorbing these funds efficiently.
“Many years, we have surrendered money because of slow procurement. This year, we signed contracts worth ₹2 lakh crore—double the highest ever achieved previously. But to realise this potential, speeding up procurement and ensuring contract execution is critical,” he noted.
Singh also highlighted India’s record defence production milestone of ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, crediting the success to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The country’s defence industrial base now includes 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), 430 licensed companies, and nearly 16,000 MSMEs, significantly strengthening indigenous production capabilities.
As India continues to prioritise self-reliance in defence, Operation Sindoor is being seen as a turning point, showcasing the effectiveness of indigenous systems like BrahMos in real combat scenarios.