India’s swift and precise aerial strikes under Operation Sindoor have sparked serious alarm in Pakistan’s strategic circles, with senior commentators calling for urgent upgrades to the country’s defence systems. The operation, conducted in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, has not only exposed the vulnerability of Pakistan’s air defences but also triggered an intense debate over its preparedness for modern warfare.
Pakistani commentator and strategic analyst Dr. Qamar Cheema admitted that India’s drone warfare and electronic superiority caught Islamabad off guard. “We need a model like the S-400,” Cheema said in a recent interview, warning that without such systems, Pakistan would continue to face mockery from the Indian Air Force. “Indian drones entered Pakistani territory, and there was confusion and panic. We didn’t understand it.”
India’s Operation Sindoor targeted key Pakistani military installations including radar systems, command centres, and ammunition depots across Lahore, Chaklala, Sialkot, Bholari, and Rahim Yar Khan. Using a combination of electronic warfare and advanced missile systems, the Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly completed the operation in just 23 minutes—without suffering any losses.
Retired Pakistani Air Marshal Masood Akhtar also confirmed the destruction of a crucial Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft at Bholari airbase after it was struck by a BrahMos missile. “Unfortunately, the fourth missile hit the hangar… it was damaged,” he said, acknowledging the strategic setback.
India’s arsenal included battle-tested systems like Pechora and OSA-AK, alongside its indigenous Akash missile system, which played a key role in neutralising targets. The Akash, equipped with electronic counter-countermeasures, reinforced India’s edge in electronic and drone warfare.
Cheema’s warning comes as Pakistan grapples with the realisation that warfare is rapidly evolving. “This is a war of drones, a war of electronic warfare. If we don’t invest now, it may be too late,” he said.
As Islamabad confronts the aftermath of the strikes and the growing technological gap, India’s Operation Sindoor may well become a turning point in South Asia’s military balance.