NEW DELHI: Under Operation Sindoor, India did not just win a military conflict with Pakistan but also scored a victory over China in the technological domain as Pakistan essentially fought as a Chinese proxy by relying heavily on Chinese platforms, according to military expert John Spencer.“Operation Sindoor pitted India’s indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. What unfolded was not just retaliation but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (the two key programmes of the Modi govt that lay emphasis on self-reliance in the defence sector),” Spencer, a retired US army officer who is currently the chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute, wrote on X.“India fought as a sovereign power, wielding precision tools it designed, built and deployed with unmatched battlefield control. Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence. When challenged, these systems failed – exposing the strategic hollowness behind Islamabad’s defence posture,” he said.The ‘Made-in-India’ BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with Russian collaboration, totally indigenous Akash surface to air missile and Akashteer missile defence system, Rudram anti-radiation missile, Netra airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), loitering munitions (SkyStriker, Harop) and D4S counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, an indigenous multi-layer drone defence system integrating radar, radio frequency jammers, sensors and kinetic kill options had an upper hand over several Pakistan-owned but Chinese-built HQ-9/ HQ-16 SAM Systems, LY-80 & FM-90 air defence systems and CH-4 dross (China), Spencer said.India’s thrust for self-reliance in defence weaponry began as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, he said.“The goal was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defence industry. The policy incentivised joint ventures, opened defence to foreign direct investment up to 74%, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers to build sophisticated military hardware at home. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile, K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside India-many with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control,” Spencer said.
