Pakistan’s Air Defense Fiasco: Lessons from Operation Sindoor and India’s Path Ahead Pakistan’s air defense network, a hodgepodge of Chinese knock-offs, aging Western relics, and half-baked indigenous systems, crumbled spectacularly during India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Interoperability issues, born of mismatched Chinese and Western tech, left Pakistan’s skies wide open to India’s stealthy SCALP missiles and Harop drones. Financial woes—$340 billion GDP, $7–8 billion defense budget, and a $30 billion Chinese debt—forced reliance on downgraded systems like the HQ-9P, while India’s $80–90 billion war chest powered a seamless Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). China’s export strategy, keeping Pakistan on a tight leash, and inadequate training sealed the deal. This blog dissects Pakistan’s air defense debacle, contrasts it with India’s diversified prowess, and dives deep into what India must watch to stay ahead. With expert insights and a dash of irony, it’s a tal...