Operation Sindoor, the skirmish with Pakistan last May, has led to faster decision-making within the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Government on the procurement of next-generation fighter jets, missiles, specialised UAVs, air defence systems and long-range strike weapons.
The IAF is undergoing a significant strategic shift aimed at strengthening combat preparedness and enhancing long-range precision strike capability.
Focusing on the fighter aircraft fleet, the Ministry of Defence in February approved the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation. India is also set to formalise the procurement of the fifth-generation stealth fighter Sukhoi Su-57 from Russia.
The immediate requirement for a fifth-generation fighter stems from China’s growing fleet of advanced combat aircraft. China already operates the J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters and has reportedly promised similar platforms to Pakistan.
The Russian Su-57 is being considered as a stop-gap arrangement until India’s indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) becomes operational, which is expected to take around a decade.
In August last year, the procurement of 97 additional Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets worth Rs 62,370 crore was also approved. The order is in addition to the 83 aircraft already contracted, taking the total order for Tejas Mk-1A fighters to 180.
The IAF is also exploring an interim arrangement to upgrade several Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets with Russian assistance.
Following Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Defence has focused on newer technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It has approved solar-powered High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite Vehicles (HAPS), capable of operating at an altitude of 20 km in the stratosphere for prolonged surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The Centre has also cleared the procurement of 60 Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Ghatak is a stealth-capable UCAV designed with internal weapon carriage.
A clear shift towards long-range missile capability has emerged after the success of Operation Sindoor strikes, which hit targets nearly 300 km away from stand-off distances. This has led to an aggressive push for air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles with strike ranges exceeding 300 km.
The IAF has tasked the DRDO with accelerating development of the Astra Mk-2, a longer-range variant of the indigenous air-to-air missile. Procurement of the Russian-origin R-37 missile, which has a strike range of around 300 km, has also been expedited.
Speaking to the media in Jaipur on Thursday during a press briefing marking the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, IAF Deputy Chief Air Marshal AK Bharti said, “we need to add enablers like for intelligence gathering besides air borne radars and mid air refullers”.
Following the skirmish, the IAF also assessed the need for deploying drones and UAVs in larger numbers. Its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which enables real-time sensor fusion, is currently being upgraded.
To strengthen air defence capabilities, the ministry has also approved five additional Russian-origin S-400 air defence systems, which performed creditably during Operation Sindoor.
The Tribune reviewed Union Budget data, which showed that defence spending for the fiscal ending March 2026 was revised following Operation Sindoor.
Within the allocated capital budget, an additional Rs 24,116 crore was provided for “aircraft and aero engines”, taking the post-Sindoor allocation under the head to Rs 72,780 crore.
