May 31, 2025

India emerged triumphant not only in the military conflict with Pakistan but also in the technological battle with China during Operation Sindoor. Military expert John Spencer highlighted that India leveraged its indigenously developed weapons against Chinese-supplied platforms used by Pakistan. This showcased the strategic prowess of India's sovereign arsenal built under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The Indian military demonstrated unmatched battlefield control with precision tools, while Pakistan, acting as a proxy force for China, faced failures when its Chinese hardware was challenged. The expert emphasized India's push for self-reliance in defense weaponry under PM Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative, which aimed to reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and promote a domestic defense industry. The policy encouraged joint ventures, foreign direct investment in defense up to 74%, and the domestic production of sophisticated military hardware. This drive for self-sufficiency gained momentum in 2020, following the Covid-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash with China, prompting India to enhance operational self-reliance by imposing bans on key defense imports, granting emergency procurement powers to the armed forces, and investing in indigenous research, design, and production. By 2025, India significantly increased domestic content in defense procurement and aimed to reach 90% by the end of the decade. The Indian military's utilization of its T-72 main battle tanks, Su-30MKI fighter jets, and Rafale aircraft underscored its firepower and airspace control during the conflict. Spencer's analysis emphasized India's transition to a more self-reliant defense posture, reducing reliance on foreign supplies and boosting domestic production to enhance operational independence and strategic strength.

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Tags: India, Pakistan, China, Military, Defence,