After Operation Sindoor, Indian Navy Charts Bold Future: Longer-Range Strike Power, Counter-Drone Shields, and Smarter Warships

August 26, 2025. At the Ran Samwad 2025 conclave in Mhow, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, outlined the Indian Navy’s fresh plans after the successful Operation Sindoor. His words marked a turning point, showing how India is rethinking maritime warfare in light of modern threats such as cheap drones, unmanned vehicles, and hybrid warfare strategies.

Operation Sindoor and Its Impact

Operation Sindoor was India’s coordinated strike against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The mission was executed with high precision. Importantly, Indian forces carried it out without crossing international boundaries.

The operation proved two things. First, India can punish hostile actors using stand-off attacks. Second, its layered defence systems are ready for real combat.

During the mission, India deployed advanced systems like:

• Akashteer air defence system – which tracked, targeted, and destroyed drones with a 100% success rate.
• SAMAR system – which intercepted low-flying drones and missiles.
• Air Defence brigades of the Southern Command – which downed around 70 Pakistani drones using both modern and legacy weapons in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

These results gave the armed forces valuable lessons. Now the Navy wants to use those lessons to reshape its future strategy.

Vice Admiral Sobti’s Big Message

Speaking to officers and strategists at Mhow, Vice Admiral Sobti was clear. The Navy will not only defend its ships but also strike deeper into enemy territory.

His main points were:

1. Adopting longer-range strike vectors – The Navy wants tools that can destroy targets without crossing borders. These include missiles, precision weapons, and unmanned platforms.
2. Investing in counter-UAV systems – Cheap drones cannot be stopped with million-dollar missiles. Special systems are needed to handle swarms of drones.
3. Smarter use of ship space – Modern warships are already crowded with radars, missiles, and sensors. Yet new systems must still be fitted.
4. Resilience against negativity and disruption – Operation Sindoor showed that India can keep calm, adapt, and win.

Why Longer-Range Strike Vectors Matter

The idea of longer-range vectors means India can influence enemy territory without directly entering it. These strike capabilities let the Navy attack:

• Enemy military bases
• Airfields and ports
• Economic targets like oil depots
• Terror launch pads

In today’s world, such precision is crucial. India can punish threats without escalating into full-scale war.

This model of warfare also mirrors global naval strategies. For example, the US Navy uses Tomahawk missiles for land strikes from ships hundreds of kilometers away. India now aims to create similar capabilities suited to its own region.

The Challenge of Cheap Drones

Drones have become a global headache. They are:

• Cheap – often built for a few thousand dollars.
• Plentiful – can be bought commercially or built easily.
• Versatile – able to drop bombs, carry explosives, or act as spies.

Vice Admiral Sobti noted how drones were used heavily in conflicts in the Red Sea, Ukraine, and the Gulf of Aden. He warned that India must prepare for similar situations in the Indian Ocean Region.

A key issue is cost imbalance. A drone worth ₹5 lakh should not force a ship to fire a missile worth ₹25 crore. That would drain resources quickly. So, the Navy wants specialised counter-drone weapons such as:

• Laser systems
• Directed-energy weapons
• Anti-drone guns
• Electronic jammers

These solutions are cheaper per shot and can protect ships without wasting missiles.

Fitting New Systems on Crowded Ships

Modern warships are already packed with equipment. They carry:

• Radar domes
• Long-range missiles
• Anti-submarine gear
• Communication suites

Vice Admiral Sobti admitted that finding space for new systems is hard. But the Navy is exploring modular solutions. Some ideas include:

• Plug-and-play slots for new weapons.
• Containerised counter-drone units.
• Unmanned ships that can carry extra systems.

This approach will allow the Navy to stay modern without building entirely new fleets every decade.

Lessons from Sindoor’s Drone Kill Success

The most eye-catching statistic from Operation Sindoor was the 70 drones destroyed in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The mix of old and new systems worked perfectly.

• Akashteer managed battlefield control with 100% accuracy.
• SAMAR intercepted low-altitude drones and missiles.
• Legacy Bofors guns still played a role in shooting targets.

This proved that India’s approach of combining old and new technologies works. It also showed the importance of indigenous defence systems developed in India.

The Bigger Picture: India’s Maritime Strategy

Operation Sindoor was not just about Pakistan. It also told the world that India’s armed forces can handle hybrid warfare.

The Navy’s fresh focus areas are:

• Securing trade routes – The Indian Ocean is India’s lifeline.
• Countering drone swarms – Essential in ports and choke points like the Strait of Hormuz.
• Expanding reach – Longer strike ranges allow India to act even in the South China Sea if needed.
• Protecting allies – As India grows closer to partners like the US, France, and Japan, its navy may support joint operations.

Fast Facts at a Glance

Focus Area	Details
Longer-Range Strikes	Target enemy sites without entering their land or seas
Counter-Drone Defence	Cheap but powerful weapons to handle UAV swarms
Space Management on Ships	Finding ways to add new weapons in crowded vessels
Proven Systems	Akashteer (100% kill rate), SAMAR, legacy guns all worked in Sindoor
Drone Kill Count	Around 70 drones destroyed in Gujarat and Rajasthan
Global Context	Drones rising in Ukraine, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden—lessons for India

Why This Matters for India’s Security

The future battlefield will be shaped by technology, precision, and cost efficiency. India has to fight smarter, not just harder.

• Smarter strikes will allow punishment of enemies without risking escalation.
• Counter-drone systems will stop swarms that could paralyze cities or fleets.
• Indigenous tech like Akashteer ensures India is not dependent on foreign suppliers.
• Balanced upgrades on ships will keep costs under control.

Vice Admiral Sobti’s words show a clear vision. The Navy is moving towards a leaner, smarter, and sharper force.