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PM Modi resisted domestic and international pressure to procure Rafale fighters and S‑400 System, and now he has been vindicated during conflict against Pakistan

Rukma Rathore
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PM Modi resisted domestic and international pressure to procure Rafale fighters and S‑400 System, and now he has been vindicated during conflict against Pakistan

The Rafale Jets equipped with Scalp missiles and the Russian S-400 Air Defence System have been India’s weapons of choice in both the ongoing war with Pakistan and “Operation Sindoor” which was laucnched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack which took the lives of 26 Hindu tourists and injured dozens of others. A few years ago, the government of Narendra Modi added them to India’s arsenal while fending off internal and external pressure.

The significance of the S-400 air defence system was once again demonstrated on the intervening night of 8th and 9th May when India effectively stopped an extensive onslaught by the Pakistani army employing drones and other missiles. The Russian S-400 and indigenous Akashteer defence systems successfully repelled every Pakistani strike, preventing any projectiles from hitting their objective. The ammunition was shot in multiple places, including Jaisalmer, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. India’s defence forces even neutralised Pakistan’s one Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft in Punjab province of Pakistan.

When India chose to purchase the S-400 defence system in 2018 through a $5 billion agreement with Russia, the Modi government was faced with significant criticism from the United States. Three years prior, the Western power had declared that it was “discouraging” India from moving forward with procuring S-400s from Russia. The acquisition of the S-400 by India was met with resistance from the earlier administrations of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. There had even been threats of sanctions from the White House under Donald Trump.

However, Modi was aware of the importance of the S-400 in improving our air defences against China and Pakistan. Thus far, three S-400 squadrons have been received and are currently in service, with more expected to follow this year. It is the most advanced long-range air defence weapon in the world, with the ability to track and engage several aircraft targets up to 600 kilometres away. It is known as the “Sudarshan Chakra” inside the Indian Air Force and is capable of detecting, tracking and eliminating a wide range of airborne threats, including ballistic missiles, UAVs and fighter aircrafts.

Intense US pressure and intimidation to discourage India from buying S-400

The United States threatened to impose penalties on India for moving forward with the multi-billion-dollar agreement with Russia under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Washington argued that Russian weapons may jeopardise defence cooperation between the two nations and lobbied for alternatives like the Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) systems from USA.

President Joe Biden’s nominee for Coordinator for Sanctions Policy told lawmakers in 2022 that the United States is clearly preventing India from moving forward with its purchase of S-400 missile defence systems from Russia. It was further conveyed that Washington will need to carefully consider “important geostrategic considerations” before making a decision on the mounting calls for a presidential CAATSA waiver to New Delhi.

CAATSA is a stringent US legislation enacted in 2017 that empowers the government to impose sanctions on nations acquiring significant defence equipment from Russia. James O’Brien, President Biden’s nominee for the US State Department’s coordinator for sanctions policy, declared, “The administration has made clear that it is discouraging India from proceeding with the acquisitions of Russian equipment, and there are important geostrategic considerations, particularly with (unintelligible) relationship to China. So, I think we have to look at what the balance is.”

The US “told India it is unlikely to get a waiver on its planned acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems, raising the risk of sanctions,” reported Reuters. It pointed out that the Biden administration is committed to an even more aggressive approach toward Russia and is “unlikely to change the tough stance adopted by the Trump administration on the S-400 deal.”

A US official indicated that there was “still time for Delhi to reconsider, and that the punitive measures would only kick in if the deal with the Russians was consummated (missiles being delivered).” The report outlined, “Washington has told New Delhi that if India acquires the S-400, it would affect how its systems interact with US military equipment that India now has and would jeopardise future arms transfers such as high-end fighter planes and armed drones.”

S-400 system

However, India did not back down. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasised that India has an autonomous foreign policy and that its national security objectives aim its defence purchases. Officials insisted that no foreign legislation could control India’s defence decisions, particularly in light of constant threats from China and Pakistan. The S-400 was considered essential for protecting Indian airspace because of its exceptional tracking, range and multi-target capabilities.

Foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava asserted, “India and the US have a comprehensive global strategic partnership. India has a special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia.” He added, “India has always pursued an independent foreign policy. This also applies to our defence acquisitions and supplies which are guided by our national security interests.”

The S-400 started to be delivered in late 2021. The Modi government’s diplomacy was able to obtain a waiver from sanctions from the US House of Representatives. India’s contribution to Indo-Pacific stability and its significance in opposing China were cited by multiple members of the US House as justifications for a waiver.

India’s multi-layered air defence network swiftly embraced and integrated the technology. The S-400 was activated and effectively intercepted the incoming projectiles during this week’s escalation, which saw at least 15 Indian cities targeted by Pakistani drones and missiles. The system’s operational value was shown by the fact that no injuries or damage were reported.

Subramanian Swamy’s unwavering opposition to the S-400

Subramanian Swamy, a former Rajya Sabha MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was also opposed to purchasing the S-400 from Russia. He issued a warning in December 2019 that the missile system would be “compromised” in a conflict with Pakistan due to the presence of Chinese electronics. The first S-400 missiles were delivered to China in 2018, making it the initial purchaser. He repeated the warning in 2020 as well.

The politician maintained that the blunder of the Modi government would be akin to Chamberlain’s certificate to Hitler about Poland, after Britain sacrificed Czechoslovakia in 1938, if India moves forward with the S-400 deal with Russia. He alleged, “India should have asked US to sell the equivalent or superior to S-400 of Russia. But we did not,” and even argued that India “should not use weapons with Chinese technology.”

Subramanian Swamy cautioned that India’s “moment of truth” has come in his response to the Reuters article. “The moment of truth has arrived for us Indians. We are being forced to choose and not flirt around on archaic ideas of being friends with everybody,” he wrote on social media.

However, what was once a cause of contention in India-US relations is now a clear indication of India’s strategic independence. What was once a cause of contention in India-US relations is now a clear indication of India’s strategic independence. High-level diplomatic engagement helped India handle the implications, highlighting its dedication to strengthening its relationship with the US while retaining the freedom to diversify its defence capabilities. The Sudarshan Chakra has now transcended procurement politics for India. It is now a functional and tested shield.

Purchase of the Russian air defence system instead of an American system is also significant because of the fact that the American government tightly controls how its systems can be used. Moreover, while Russia has been India’s trusted defence supplier for decades, the USA has proven to be an unreliable supplier of defence equipment. For example, India’s Tejas Mk1A program has been delayed due to a delay in engine supply by GE.

Modi resisted political pressure on the Rafale purchase

In a government-to-government agreement, India bought 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in 2020. This has greatly improved India’s aviation capabilities and afforded it a competitive advantage over Pakistan in the US-made F-16 fighter jet market. According to reports, India targeted Bahawalpur, which is located about 100 kilometres deep into Pakistani territory, using Rafale fighters equipped with Scalp missiles. Moreover, owing to its long-range attack potential, Rafale didn’t even need to cross the border to accomplish this.

However, former French President Francois Hollande’s statement caused a political controversy in India when he claimed that Dassault Aviation had been allegedly forced by the Modi government to collaborate with Reliance Defence of India to comply with its “offset policy.” Foreign companies must contribute at least 30% of a deal’s value back in India, according to the clause in Delhi’s defence procurement regulations.

In 2008, it was added to India’s Defence Procurement Procedure in an effort to increase indigenous production. Dassault committed to investing half of the projected $8.7 billion (£6.6 billion) contract in India to build parts of the jet’s components with billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence as part of the 2016 Rafale deal. “It was the Indian government who proposed this [Reliance] service group, and Dassault who negotiated with Ambani. We did not have a choice, we took the interlocutor who was given to us,” he stated.

Subsequently, the Congress party charged Prime Minister Modi with prioritising an Indian company and even engaging in crony capitalism by supporting Anil Ambani’s company. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) consistently refuted these claims, asserting that the government entered into the agreement to fulfil the combat needs of the Indian Air Force and played no part in selecting the local partner of the French manufacturer.

Rafale jet of Indian Air Force

Rahul Gandhi even called the Rafale acquisition a scam during the 2019 general elections, as part of the Congress party’s massive electoral attack against the Modi government for proceeding with the deal. He was even reprimanded by the Supreme Court for misusing its name and disseminating falsehoods purely for political smear tactics aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Rae Bareli Lok Sabha MP coined “chowkidar chor hai”, after which former union minister Minister Meenakshi Lekhi initiated a contempt case against him for misattributing the slogan to the initial ruling of the apex court in the Rafale case. He had expressed an apology at the prior hearing for misquoting the Supreme Court. However, the latter was not persuaded by his prior affidavit and had asked for a written apology.

Notably, the matter was even dragged to the top court by Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC/TMC) leader Yashwant Sinha and others, alleging that the Rafale Fighter Jet Deal had significant procedural flaws. The bench, however, rejected the appeal for a court-monitored investigation on 14th December 2018 and noted that there were no anomalies in the price, decision-making procedure or choice of off-set partner.

Afterwards, Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushan filed a review petition contesting the ruling, which the court consented to consider on 21st February 2019. They contended that the government’s incorrect factual assertions form the basis of the decision. The court reserved an order on the review petitions on 14th March 2019, addressing the particular issue of whether or not leaked materials could be added to the record.

It rejected the union government’s defence and ruled on 10th April 2019, that the confidential documents could be added to the record. The court reserved a decision in the review petitions on 10th May. It emphasised that it had limited authority to examine defence contracts under its Article 32 jurisdiction, as it dismissed the review applications on 14th November. The party had even based its campaign on this issue during the 2019 national elections, a tactic that ultimately proved detrimental.

Large sums of money were paid to middlemen in the transaction, according to papers that the Congress claimed supported its accusations of corruption against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration in 2021. “The way Rahul Gandhi is behaving, it will not be an exaggeration to say that he is being used as a pawn by competing companies. He has been lying right from the beginning on the issue. Probably, he is acting as an agent or some member of Gandhi family has been for a competing company,” countered present BJP Lok Sabha member Sambit Patra.

Prime Minister Modi’s decision validated

Meanwhile, the Modi administration remained steadfast, citing national security concerns even during the general elections, while the Supreme Court dismissed the legal challenges, removing the legal obstacles for the centre. The aircraft have demonstrated significant utility for India’s offensive capabilities in the recent dispute with the Islamic Republic.

Nearly the whole family of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) founder Mohammad Masood Azhar Alvi alias Masood Azhar, along with the outfit’s headquarters at Bahawalpur was destroyed by Rafale jets in the early hours of 7th May. They were also used to demolish multiple terror bases of terrorist groups, including JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) at nine pivotal locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Abdul Rauf Azhar, the de facto leader of Jaish and the most wanted individual, is also among the deceased. He is the brother of Masood Azhar and the orchestrator of the IC-814 hijacking, as well as behind the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl. The operation has killed at least 100 terrorists. The exceptional success of India’s anti-terror action is a result of the prowess of Rafale jets.

Notably, India and France have recently finalised a substantial agreement worth ₹63,000 crore for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The PM Modi-led cabinet committee on security approved the pact earlier this month. The native aircraft carrier INS Vikrant’s deck will be the primary operating location for the planes.

Some armaments, simulators, crew training and five-year performance-based logistics support are all included in the government-to-government contract for the 22 single-seat Rafale-M fighters and four twin-seat trainers. India will pay an initial 15% instalment of the deal’s cost in order to receive the 26 Rafale-M aircraft, which are intended for maritime strike, air defense and reconnaissance missions. The estimated time of delivery is 37 to 65 months.

This clearly illustrates how Prime Minister Narendra Modi endured both internal and external pressures to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. More importantly, his decision has proved beneficial for the nation, especially during these challenging times.

As India thwarts Pakistani attack, here’s how multi-layered Indian defence worked to stop the wave of missiles and drones sent by Pakistan to target Indian cities

Shraddha Pandey
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As India thwarts Pakistani attack, here’s how multi-layered Indian defence worked to stop the wave of missiles and drones sent by Pakistan to target Indian cities

On the intervening night of 8th and 9th May, Pakistan launched a coordinated attack involving a wave of drones and other munitions targeting 15 locations across northern and western India, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Bathinda, and Chandigarh. To thwart the wave of Pakistani missiles and drones, India activated its multi-layered air-defence system, including Akashteer ADCRS, S-400 Sudarshan Chakra, Barak 8 MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) and Akash Missile System.

India deployed its “Iron Dome” to destroy Pakistani drones and missiles

In response to Pakistani strikes, Indian armed forces activated the indigenously made Akashteer Air Defence System to intercept and destroy a wave of Pakistani missiles and drones. Dubbed as India’s Iron Dome, the made-in-India Akashteer ADS is a command-and-control air defence platform.

This air defence system integrates inputs from radar sources like early-warning systems and ground-based radars to render a live web of real-time data to precisely track aerial threats. With the Akashteer system’s help, Indian forces intercepted and neutralised each and every missile launched by Pakistan towards India.

During the Pakistani attack on 8th May night, Akashteer fused data from Indian Air Force and Indian Army Air Defence, such as 3D tactical radars and low-level lightweight radars, to detect and track incoming Pakistani missiles and drones. Akashteer effectively coordinated the response across multiple layers of defence to ensure seamless communication and targeting of enemy weapons.

S-400 missile defence system and HARPY drones complemented Akashteer perfectly

Besides Akashteer,  the Indian Air Force used a combination of the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system to intercept and Israeli-made HARPY drones for counterattack against Pakistani missiles and drones.

Hours later, when air-raid sirens sounded across cities in the bordering states of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Punjab during a second wave of Pakistani strikes, the Indian air defence repulsed the attack and shot down two Pakistani fighter jets, including a US-made supersonic F-16. These Pakistani warplanes were hit by a surface-to-air missile shortly after take-off from the Sargodha base.  

Reports say that the Indian Air Force used a combination of anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles along with an integrated counter-UAS grid to take down Pakistani projectiles. The integrated counter-UAS grid was used to counter unmanned aircraft systems and neutralise drones and other incoming threats like missiles launched by Pakistan. This grid utilises multiple technologies, including radar and radio frequency sensors, to locate, identify, and track potential airspace threats. Once a threat is detected, the system can deploy various non-explosive countermeasures, like jamming radio signals and explosive countermeasures like firing an interceptor projectile. India used C-UAS against Pakistan in the last two attacks.

The other layer of India’s impregnable air defence system is S-400. This Russian-made missile defence system can track incoming threats from 600 km away and intercept threats within a 400 km range, making it one of the best in the business. S-400 comprises three components: a powerful radar for 360-degree tracking, missiles to intercept, and a command centre. The S-400 missile defence system is capable of engaging almost any modern warplane.

India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five squadrons in October 2018. It is essential to recall that when the Modi government decided to purchase the S-400 defence system, it faced significant criticism from the United States. Three years prior, the Western power had declared that it was “discouraging” India from moving forward with procuring S-400s from Russia. India’s acquisition of the S-400 was met with resistance from the earlier administrations of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Despite threats of sanctions, the Modi government prioritised the importance of the S-400 in improving Indian air defences against China and Pakistan and went ahead with the deal. It is because the Modi government remained undeterred despite international and domestic pressure that today Indian forces have a formidable missile defence system, thwarting Pakistani threats.

The other layer in India’s air defence system is a short-range, surface-to-air defence system—SAMAR. This was used last night to deflect and intercept Pakistani missiles.  SAMAR uses Russian Vympel missiles and has a range of 12 km, meaning it can take on low-flying aerial targets like drones. In addition, India also uses the Spyder system, an Israeli low-level quick-reaction anti-aircraft missile with a 15 km range. Indian forces also reportedly used Soviet-made twin-barrel 23 mm automatic anti-aircraft gun Zu-23, Swedish-made and Indian upgraded 40 mm anti-aircraft gun L-70, and self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Shilka to counter Pakistani attacks.

Besides, our forces also used Akash, an indigenous short-medium range ADS effective within a 50 km range. India, however, has a plethora of options to tackle any misadventure of Pakistan, including S-125 Pechora (surface-to-air missiles) and VSHORAD, or very short-range air defence. VSHORAD can be launched from the shoulder or carried on tripods.

Synergy of India’s air defence systems makes it unmatchable

The cost-effective, interoperability, multi-layered defence, and real-time coordination between India’s air defence systems offered the country an edge over the enemy, helping it essentially destroy over 8 missiles with no impact on Indian soil. More than two dozen drones and loitering munitions were neutralised through a perfect combination of kinetic—Akash, MRSAM, Zu-23 —and non-kinetic—jamming and spoofing methods. The multiple interceptions were confirmed as debri from various locations has been recovered. Reports are also emerging that two to three Pakistani fighter jets were also shot down.

Most importantly, in what stands as the testament of the effectiveness of India’s air defence systems, there were no casualties or significant damages despite Pakistan’s aggressive and desperate attack to secure a PR win against India to fool its brainwashed public.  The countermeasures taken by India against Pakistani strikes on the night of 8th May demonstrated India’s advanced, layered capabilities as well as its ability to counter complex and multi-vector threats effectively destroying the nefarious designs and motivations of the enemy.

TRAI releases recommendations on spectrum allocation and prices for satellite-based commercial communication services

ANI
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TRAI releases recommendations on spectrum allocation and prices for satellite-based commercial communication services

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations for satellite-based commercial communication services. It includes the administrative allocation of spectrum for Satcom at a price fixed by the government, which will be reviewed every five years.

For Geostationary Orbit (GSO)-based FSS (fixed satellite service), TRAI recommended a spectrum usage fee of 4 per cent of Adjusted Gross Revenue, subject to a minimum annual spectrum charge of Rs 3,500 per MHz.

A similar fee will apply for non-Geostationary Orbit/Geostationary Orbit (GSO/NGSO)- based mobile satellite service (MSS).

For NGSO-based FSS, spectrum usage charges will be 4 per cent of the Adjusted Gross Revenue plus an additional charge of Rs 500 per subscriber per annum in urban areas. Rural and remote areas will be exempt from this additional charge, subject to a minimum annual spectrum charge of Rs. 3,500 per MHz.

TRAI proposed that these recommendations remain valid for five years from the date the central government notifies the policy regime, further extended by up to two years.

The telecom regulator proposed that the AGR-based spectrum charges should be paid on an advance quarterly basis and be payable within 15 days of the commencement of the respective quarter.

Minimum spectrum charges should be paid in advance at the time of spectrum assignment and at the beginning of every year. The quarterly/annual adjustment of payment dues shall be made with the minimum spectrum charge for the particular year only.

TRAI was requested to provide recommendations on the terms and conditions of spectrum assignment, including spectrum pricing, while accounting for a level playing field with terrestrial access services for satellite-based communication services.

The Recommendations made today have been placed on the TRAI’s website.

Recently, Airtel and Jio have partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to bring the latter’s high-speed satellite internet services to their customers in India. Satellite telecom in India will help the country provide much-needed services to remote interior places where conventional telecom services tend to be costly.

Starlink’s application to provide satellite-based services in India is pending approval with the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. Its entry into India has gained currency lately, with Donald Trump winning the US presidency for a second term. Elon Musk is a close aide of President Trump.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Day after claiming they intercepted 25 Indian drones, Pakistani defence minister says they didn’t intercept the drones to avoid giving away their defence locations

OpIndia Staff
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Day after claiming they intercepted 25 Indian drones, Pakistani defence minister says they didn’t intercept the drones to avoid giving away their defence locations

A day after the Pakistan government claimed that its forces intercepted and shot down 25 drones sent by India to multiple locations including Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, Pakistani defence minister has now taken a U-turn. Talking about the recent developments in the National Assembly, Pakistan’s defence minister Khwaja Asif claimed that Pakistani forces didn’t intercept the drones as it would have given away the locations of defence establishments.

He said, the drones were sent into Pakistan to detect the locations of Pakistani defence systems, adding that he can’t explain it as it is technical matter. He then added to avoid giving away the locations, Pakistani forces didn’t intercept the drone. Khwaja Asif said that after the drones reached a ‘safe limit’, they were shot down.

Notably, the claim of shooting down the drones is misleading, as videos show that at least some drones hit their targets and then exploded. Notably, the ‘drone’ sent by India, Israeli IAI Haron, are actually loitering munition. They are combinations of drone and missile, and they are design to hover over an area for a long time and then dive onto a target and detonating the onboard bomb.

For example, the following video from Lahore shows a Harop drone diving onto a target and then exploding. It shows that the drone was intact before hitting the ground, which means it was not shot by Pakistani forces, it dived on its power to hit the target, probably a Pakistani air defence system.

These are also known as kamikaze drones, as they are on a suicide mission, instead of firing missiles like regular drones, they themselves hit the target. Therefore, allowing such drones to enter Pakistani airspace to avoid giving locations and then shooting them down after they reached their target does not make sense.

The video in this tweet also shows an undamaged drone diving onto target, so this one was also not shot.

Notably, as per Indian govt, the drones were used to target Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. A statement by Defence ministry said that an Air Defence system at Lahore was neutralised in this attack.

Another blow to pro-Pakistani forces? Leftwing rag The Wire claims Indian government blocked access to its platform

OpIndia Staff
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Another blow to pro-Pakistani forces? Leftwing rag The Wire claims Indian government blocked access to its platform

A day after Pakistan launched a preplanned and meticulously coordinated aerial assault on Indian towns across the vast length of its western border, leftwing rag, The Wire, claimed the government of India has blocked access to its platform across India.

“In a clear violation of the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press, the Government of India has blocked access to thewire.in across India. Internet Service Providers say The Wire has been “blocked as per the order of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the IT Act, 2000,” the statement released by the portal said.

While the Wire has alleged that the Indian government has blocked access to its platform, many users reported that the website still remains accessible, reflecting the publication’s familiar tactic of playing victim to exert pressure and influence policy reversals.

OpIndia found that The Wire can still be accessed in India, as shown below.

The Wire
The Wire homepage

The Wire perhaps preempted an impending governmental ban after Centre’s directive against streaming Pakistan-origin content earlier yesterday.

“We protest this blatant censorship at a critical time for India when sane, truthful, fair and rational voices and sources of news and information are among the biggest assets that India has,” the propaganda outlet lamented in its statement.

However, several users have claimed that they are unable to access The Wire portal.

In its statement, The Wire said they will challenge the move, but didn’t elaborate how and when.

India bans all Pakistan-origin content on OTT platforms citing national security

In a sweeping move, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry banned all Pakistan-produced content—including web series, films, podcasts, and songs—from all OTT and media streaming platforms operating in India. The order, effective May 8, was justified by the Ministry as a step taken in the “interest of national security.”

The announcement followed rising tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. In what many see as a signal of zero-tolerance, the Ministry’s advisory comes just a day before the scheduled Indian release of Abir Gulaal, a film starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

This isn’t an isolated action. Just days ago, the Indian government clamped down on Pakistani digital presence, banning nearly 16 YouTube channels, several Instagram accounts—most notably those of celebrities Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan—and announcing a halt on collaborations with Pakistani artists.

This decision adds to a string of measures taken by the Indian government, which recently terminated the historic Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines, all amid mounting diplomatic strain.

India shoots down Pakistan’s AWACS, read how the surveillance aircraft operates and why losing one is a significant blow to Pakistan

Rukma Rathore
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India shoots down Pakistan’s AWACS, read how the surveillance aircraft operates and why losing one is a significant blow to Pakistan

On the evening of 8th May, India thwarted an attempt by the Pakistani military to target military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and several other sites. The unprovoked assault prompted a strong response, with New Delhi not only neutralising fighter jets, drones and missiles but also downing Islamabad’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, delivering a substantial setback to Pakistan’s aerial surveillance and battlefield coordination.

According to media reports, the AWACS was shot down inside Pakistan’s Punjab province along with three fighter jets, two Chinese JF-17s and an American F-16. The development transpired as Pakistan launched drones and missiles against the border states of Punjab, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. All of these drones were destroyed, per a statement from the Indian Army and no deaths were reported. Indian air defence system also shot down 8 missiles launched by Pakistan.

Although drones, loitering munitions and missiles have recently captured significant media attention, AWACS platforms function as the central hub of aerial warfare, rendering the loss not merely symbolic but also strategically impactful. The retaliation is seen as a major setback for the air surveillance and operational planning capabilities of the hostile neighbour, which is already grappling with massive internal challenges, both economic and otherwise.

What is AWACS

AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) is a flying radar station that is usually installed on a big aircraft platform and is used to follow, monitor and identify threats both on the ground and in the air over long distances. With 360-degree radar monitoring and the ability to guide fighter jets and ground-based air defence systems during combat, it functions similarly to a high-tech command post in the sky. AWACS are generally modified passenger planes with several changes to the airframe, electronics and other equipment as per the specific needs of the user force.

These aircraft effectively operate as battle managers and early warning systems, coordinating air fights, spotting impending threats and providing real-time intelligence to interceptors and command centres. Their primary functions are air defence command and control as well as long-range radar surveillance. They can detect, track and identify air and surface contacts over long distances because of their enormous radar dome.

AWACS systems are essential for coordinating aviation operations and providing real-time situational awareness with the ability to communicate with other users on land, at sea, or in the air. This is an aircraft equipped with advanced radar and sensor technology. It is utilised for early warning, surveillance, command, control and communication in operational contexts. AWACS planes identify both airborne and surface targets, delivering situational awareness and enabling coordination for air defence and battlefield management.

They have a large radar dish installed atop the airframe. These aircraft serve as eyes in the sky owing to their powerful radar. These aerial warning systems are more effective than radars installed on the ground, as the curvature of the Earth physically restricts the range of view of land-based radars.

The aircraft fulfil several valuable functions, making them a vital asset in contemporary combat. The AWACS performs as a flying command and control centre by coordinating fighter jets and air defence systems to provide a smooth military response. Additionally, it offers early threat detection, providing vital alerts of enemy movements well in advance of their entry into national airspace.

How AWACS works

Radar System: A rotating or phased-array radar system, often referred to as a “radome” or “rotodome,” is the central component of every AWACS. It is positioned above a disk-like structure above the fuselage. These radars are perfect for long-range detection because they usually operate in the L-band or S-band.

The SAAB 2000 Erieye AWACS from Pakistan, for instance, is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. India’s PHALCON AWACS, which was created in collaboration with Russia and Israel, employs EL/W-2090 radar, which has a 360-degree coverage range of more than 400 kilometers.

Another illustration is the 30-foot-wide radar dish of the American-manufactured E-3 Sentry AWACS, capable of detecting low-flying aircraft from a distance of up to 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles). It is also capable of identifying high-altitude aircraft at extended distances and monitoring maritime activities, irrespective of terrain or weather conditions. This data is processed by an onboard computer, which aids commanders in rapidly evaluating threats and making tactical decisions.

Command and Control Consoles: Multiple operator workstations are located inside the aircraft, where experts use real-time mission coordination, aircraft assignment for interceptions and threat tracking.

Secure Data Links: AWACS planes are outfitted with encrypted datalinks and secure satellite communications (like Pakistan’s Link-17 or India’s Link II) to ensure constant cooperation with: Combat aircraft, radars on the ground, systems of surface-to-air missiles and navy ships (if working in a combined command setting).

Electronic Countermeasures (ECM): Self-protection jammers and countermeasures, including radar warning receivers (RWRs), chaff/flare dispensers and decoys to avoid missile threats are features of advanced AWACS systems.

Key functions of AWACS

AWACS platforms act as a force multiplier in any combat. Their primary function consists of: early identification of hostile missiles and aircraft that are well outside the range of ground-based radars, real-time command and control of allied aircraft. tracking targets in a wide area of the sky and even in the sea along with secure communication that is impervious to jamming or interception. These planes are particularly useful for monitoring rapidly shifting battlefield conditions, directing fighter jets to intercept threats and organizing air missions.

Early Warning: It detects hostile drones, missile launches, and airplanes long before they are within radar range of ground stations.

Battlefield Coordination: It act as friendly aircraft’s aerial control towers, directing them toward or away from dangers and targets.

Electronic Surveillance: Jamming signals, adversary radio frequencies and battlefield communication patterns are all intercepted by it.

Force Multiplier: The ability to have “eyes” across the whole field of operations substantially improves the combat effectiveness of a smaller air force.

AWACS operators have the capability to detect and monitor hostile aircraft flying at low altitudes across various terrains, providing guidance to allied aircraft in the vicinity. A NATO document conveyed, “Because the onboard Radars are able to look down at the ground below, targets which would normally be obscured by stationary ground clutter can be picked up and tracked. Backed up by an EMS System, the crew can even determine the type of aircraft, ground equipment and ship to enhance the E-3A’s surveillance capabilities. In addition to the surveillance systems, the AWACS fleet also carries extensive avionics equipment for navigation,communications and data processing.”

How many AWACS does Pakistan have

Pakistan operates a relatively large number of electronic warfare aircraft, including Swedish Saab-2000 Erieye and Chinese ZDK-03 planes. A total of nine Saab 2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, commonly designated as AWACS, are in service with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Pakistan obtained four Saab-2000 Erieye aircraft from Sweden between 2006 and 2020. The initial order consisted of six aircraft, which was later revised to four. An additional Erieye was later acquired to address previous losses.

They bolster Pakistan’s airborne surveillance capabilities, offering 270-degree radar coverage due to the Erieye radar. The final aircraft in this fleet was delivered to Pakistan on 2nd July 2024.

Pakistan Air Force had also acquired four ZDK-03 Shaanxi aircraft from China to be used as AWACS planes. However, in 2024, their radar and AEW&C systems were removed due to compatibility issues, and they are now used as Electronic Warfare, Support and Countermeasure platforms. Therefore, Pakistan currently has only five Erieye aircraft in its AWACS fleet, as the Chinese ZDK-03 fleet is no longer in operation as AWACS.

Pakistan also uses 3 Dassault Falcon DA-20 and one Bombardier Global 6000 plane as Electronic Warfare, Support and Countermeasure platforms, not full-fledged AWACS.

It remains unconfirmed whether the AWACS downed by Indian forces was a Saab 2000 Erieye.

Saab 2000 Erieye

A complete AWACS system with multi-role and multi-mission capabilities, the Saab 2000 Erieye can be used for both military and commercial purposes. The Erieye’s coverage area is far larger than that of conventional ground-based sensor systems. Its horizontal effective observation radius is more than 500,000 square kilometers and its vertical effective surveillance radius is more than 60,000 feet.

It can identify and track a wide range of targets, including fighter jets, hovering helicopters, cruise missiles and even objects the size of jet skis, because its sea coverage is only restricted by the horizon. The radar’s remarkable update rate and great precision allow it to quickly detect and track objects. The system has a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles (3,705 kilometers) and an endurance of more than nine hours.

Setback for Pakistan

The global community is already aware of Pakistan’s economic struggles. The country is subsisting on support from the IMF and other foreign entities. The situation has become so critical that the government has appealed for financial assistance amidst ongoing tensions with India. In such a troubling situation, the loss of a sophisticated system like AWACS is undoubtedly a serious blow to the already struggling Islamic Republic. Furthermore, Pakistan possesses only a limited number of these aircraft.

AWACS are deemed among the most important strategic components in the arsenal of any air force. Neutralising the AWACS would incapacitate the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in terms of aerial surveillance and leave them blind in the sky, given that this airborne radar early warning system is vital for recognising incoming dangers.

An important turning point in the India-Pakistan aerial theatre was reached with the downing of Pakistan’s AWACS. The reported destruction of one such aircraft signifies a considerable tactical disadvantage for Pakistan. It also underscores the serious escalation of the India-Pakistan conflict after 7th May’s “Operation Sindoor” following Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam terror attack on 22nd April. More importantly, it reflects a more assertive Indian air strategy that aims to prevent command assets from being disabled in advance, in addition to intercepting threats.

As the Indian military conducted a huge nighttime aerial watch along the border with Pakistan, sirens and multiple explosions were reported in Akhnoor, Samba, Baramulla, Kupwara and several other locations in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian military’s defence ministry declared that India is “fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people” after Pakistan’s nefarious attacks were foiled.

AWACS of India

Indian Air Force operates a total of six AWACS planes, three of which are Beriev A-50, the AWACS variant of the Russian Illyushin-76 transport aircraft. These aircraft have been fitted with  Israeli EL/W-2090 Phalcon radar systems.

The other three are Embraer EMB-145 aircraft procured from Brazil and converted into AWACS by DRDO using the indigenous developed NETRA system. 12 more NETRA systems based on two different platforms are under development by DRDO.

The Indian government has planned for 6 NETRA Mk 1A based on Embraer jets with active electronically scanned array antenna-based radars, electronic and signal intelligence systems. Moreover, the Netra Mk 2 project has also been approved, which will be based on Airbus A321 aircraft purchased from Air India. Six platforms under the Mk 2 project have been approved.

Know all about Indian ‘Iron Dome’ Akashteer, the indigenous Air Defence System that stopped the wave of Pakistani missiles and drones sent to target Indian cities

Shraddha Pandey
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Know all about Indian ‘Iron Dome’ Akashteer, the indigenous Air Defence System that stopped the wave of Pakistani missiles and drones sent to target Indian cities

On the intervening night of 8th and 9th May 2025, Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border as an act of revenge against Indian strikes on terror camps under Operation Sindoor. While Indian strikes targeted terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, the Pakistani Army resorted to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and targeted civilian areas.

The Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting response to the Pakistani attack and unleashed India’s very own “Iron Dome” Akashteer Air Defence System (ADS) along with S-400 Sudarshan Chakra ADS to foil Pakistani plans of targeting Indian civilians.

Pakistani forces launched a coordinated drone strike on around 15 locations across northern and western India, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Bathinda, and Chandigarh. These areas are strategically significant given their proximity to crucial defence infrastructure. However, India promptly activated its multi-layered air defence network, with Akashteer playing a pivotal role in coordinating and executing India’s strong response.

India’s Akashteer Air Defence System foils Pakistan’s nefarious designs

In response to Pakistani strikes, Indian armed forces activated the indigenously made Akashteer Air Defence System to intercept and destroy a wave of Pakistani missiles and drones. Dubbed as India’s Iron Dome, the made in India Akashteer ADS is a command-and-control air defence platform.

The Akashteer system has been deployed on the western front to form an advanced shield over the International Border (IB) and LoC. This air defence system integrates inputs from radar sources like early-warning systems and ground-based radars to render a live web of real-time data to precisely track aerial threats. With the Akashteer system’s help, Indian forces intercepted and neutralised each and every missile launched by Pakistan towards India.

Akashteer system: India’s indigenously developed ADCRS

With its phased induction in the Indian Army beginning in 2024, the Akashteer system is an advanced Air Defence Control and Reporting System (ADCRS) developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the Indian Army.  In forward combat zones, it is intended to oversee ground-based air defence weaponry and oversee low-level airspace monitoring.  It serves as India’s air defence network’s digital nerve centre, gathering data from various radars and sensors, such as AWACS and AEW&C platforms, and combining it into a unified operational picture. This allows for automated, real-time engagement decisions.

Akashteer ADS has a “bottoms-up” fusion of all air defence sensors, integrating land-based sensors from both the Army Air Defence (AAD) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). This ensures a seamless and unified air picture that is accessible to the lowest operational units of Army AD, enhancing coordination and situational awareness across the force.

Replacing the previous method of manual data entry, with Akashteer’s automation, and no human input required, the system operates at maximum efficiency, allowing timely responses to fast-moving aerial threats. To illustrate, an aircraft at supersonic speeds can travel up to 18 kilometres in a single minute–Akashteer ensures that not a moment is lost in defence readiness.

Akashteer empowers front-line troops by decentralising the authority to engage hostile aircraft, allowing for quick engagement decisions while maintaining controlled freedom to avoid friendly-fire accidents.  This decentralisation is especially important for units stationed in the Northern and Eastern Commands, which are already equipped with Akashteer systems.

Moreover, the indigenous Akashteer system consolidates live data from various sources, including 3D Tactical Radars, Low-Level Lightweight Radars, and the Akash Weapon System, providing a multi-dimensional view of the airspace. This integrated picture is invaluable for both strategic planning and immediate threat response, giving Indian forces an edge in defending India’s skies.

Source: ANI

Akashteer also has built-in communication redundancy and scalability The system is designed with robust communication redundancy, ensuring connectivity even under adverse conditions. Additionally, Akashteer offers both software and hardware upgrade capabilities, making it a future-proof platform able to adapt to evolving technological and operational needs.

This advanced Air Defence Control and Reporting System’s phased induction is ongoing, out of total 455 systems required, 107 have been delivered by BEL till November 2024. All the remaining units will be delivered by March 2027.

Back in March 2023, the Defence Ministry inked a contract with BEL worth Rs 1,982 crore for Project Akashteer under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program. Akashteer’s demonstration of operational efficiency and situational awareness reflects the advancement of India’s defence manufacturing and technology. Akashteer system had undoubtedly equipped the Indian armed forces to tackle modern airspace challenges even more effectively .

Leftists, Modi-haters and assorted ‘seculars’ suddenly remember peace when India starts striking back against Pakistan, ask for de-escalation

OpIndia Staff
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Leftists, Modi-haters and assorted ‘seculars’ suddenly remember peace when India starts striking back against Pakistan, ask for de-escalation

On Thursday (8th April), the left-liberal ecosystem began mouthing platitudes about ‘peace’ and ‘de-escalation’ after India struck terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan.

The leftists, Modi haters and assorted ‘seculars’ had been mocking the Modi government for not taking action against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, where Hindus were massacred by Islamic terrorists.

When the government avenged the killings in Pahalgam through ‘Operation Sindoor’, the same individuals turned to crusaders of peace.

‘Filmmaker’ Vindo Kapri, who earlier advocated war against Pakistan, was seen tweeting ‘Say No to War.’

Controversial ‘folk singer’ Neha Singh Rathore was caught red-handed indulging in double-speak.

She had previously wanted the government to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, but was seen advocating ‘peace’ when India responded with Operation Sindoor.

“Peace is patriotism. War is destruction. Borders don’t bleed-people do. Stop the war. Deescalate NOW !!!” remarked Arfa Khanum Sherwani of ‘The Wire’ who had previously questioned Modi government’s inaction against Pakistan.

Screengrab of the tweet by Arfa Khanum Sherwani

Shyam Meera Singh was seen mouthing platitudes about peace and deriding those wanting India to defend its border States from drone attacks by Pakistan.

Screengrab of the tweet by Shyam Meera Singh

Raju Parulekar wrote, “Those who have no stake in war are the ones who want war.”

Screengrab of the tweet by Raju Parulekar

The notorious X handle ‘The Cancer Doctor’ wrote, “Majority of those cheering for war have never watched a life slip away before their eyes. DE-ESCALATE before it’s too late.”

Screengrab of the tweet by The Cancer Doctor

Popular propagandist Saba Naqvi tweeted, “War is a disaster for all concerned. The people who are afraid, the soldiers who lose their lives, the economy that suffers terribly. Wars are not fought on social media or TV studios. Jai Hind. Prayers for all the places under blackout today.”

She posted it amid the escalation of conflict from the Pakistani side in the hopes that India refrains from measured retaliatory measures against the rogue State.

Screengrab of the tweet by Saba Naqvi

“De-escalate at least now, please. Both of you. Stop this idiocy,” tweeted Karthik Krishnaswamy.

Tweet by Karthik Krishnaswamy

Alt News founder and fake news peddler, Pratik Sinha, went on a frenzy to appeal to the Indian government to ‘de-escalate’ when Pakistan was targeting Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan with drones.

Tweete and re-tweets by Pratik Sinha

“For the sake of our children and theirs let’s de-escalate. Saying no to war from the very start. Always have. Always will,” Nikhila Henry brazened out.

Screengrab of the tweet by Nikhila Henry

Notorious Darab Farooqui wrote, “De-escalate. Humans are the carbohydrates of War.”

Screengrab of the tweet by Darab Farooqui

There is a limit to double speak and hypocrisy. At a time of national crisis, one must shed their ideological and political differences and stay united against the enemy State.

This is, however, not the case with leftists, Modi haters and assorted ‘seculars’ who, instead of holding Pakistan responsible for escalating the conflict, are resorting to generic posturing as ‘pacifists.’

India asks X to ban over 8000 accounts or face penalties

ANI
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India asks X to ban over 8000 accounts or face penalties

Social media platform X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees, a statement by the Global Government Affairs said.

The orders include demands to block access in India to accounts belonging to international news organisations and prominent X users.

In most cases, the Indian government has not specified which posts from an account have violated India’s local laws. For a significant number of accounts, we did not receive any evidence or justification to block the accounts, the statement said.

To comply with the orders, we will withhold the specified accounts in India alone. We have begun that process. However, we disagree with the Indian government’s demands. Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech.

This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians’ ability to access information.

We believe that making these executive orders public is essential for transparency – lack of disclosure discourages accountability and can contribute to arbitrary decision making. However, due to legal restrictions, we are unable to publish the executive orders at this time.

X is exploring all possible legal avenues available to the company. Unlike users located in India, X is restricted by Indian law in its ability to bring legal challenges against these executive orders. However, we encourage all users who are impacted by these blocking orders to seek appropriate relief from the courts.

X said that they provided the affected users with notice of the actions in accordance with our policies. Affected users may also contact the Indian government at [email protected].

Meanwhile, following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the accounts of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have been suspended in India.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Satyapal Malik’s statement used in Pakistan National Assembly to claim that India orchestrated Pahalgam on its own citizens

OpIndia Staff
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Satyapal Malik’s statement used in Pakistan National Assembly to claim that India orchestrated Pahalgam on its own citizens

As Pakistan continues to grapple with the fallout of ongoing “Operation Sindoor” launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, there are elements within India that are supporting the enemy in crafting a spurious narrative for their own political motives and personal animosities. One notable individual is Satyapal Malik, the former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, whose statements have been echoed in the Pakistan’s national assembly to bolster its false propaganda.

A parliamentarian highlighted that Satyapal Malik in a conversation with Karan Thapar alleged that Baisaran Valley is a very protected location. She declared, “Army and police should have been present there. Nevertheless, not a single officer was in attendance. He directed this inquiry towards the Modi administration. He asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should feel a sense of shame and offer an apology for the security oversight. Such sentiments have been increasingly expressed within India, yet they are being suppressed.”

Malik called Prime Minister Modi “shameless” and “cowardly” in an interview with the contentious “The Wire,” on 6th May. He asserted that the latter must apologize to the country for the terror incident. He charged that earlier intelligence reports warning of a possible terror assault in Pahalgam had been received by the central administration. However, the centre did nothing to prevent it. He labeled the attack a major intelligence and national security failure.

Additionally, he attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah, contending that his security meetings before the attack were “just for show” and that there was no real planning or action. He added that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha should have resigned on ethical grounds and held him accountable for the security breach. Malik shrewdly exonerated Pakistan from its involvement in the attack and placed the blame on the Modi administration.

Similar to Malik, N Ram’s “The Hindu” also provided fodder to the hostile nation by publishing an unverified report alleging that three Indian fighter jets had crashed in the Akhnoor area of Jammu and Kashmir, referencing a government official. However, the article was later retracted and the publication expressed regret, affirming that there was no official information from India concerning this event. Nevertheless, the news only further contributed to the disinformation peddled by Pakistan which is frantically trying to preserve its image after facing global and domestic disgrace at the hands of India.

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