India vs China in Operation Sindoor: A Strike Against Proxy Warfare | ChatGPT Image

India vs China in Operation Sindoor: A Strike Against Proxy Warfare

June 8, 2025| June 8, 2025 6 min read

Introduction

Operation Sindoor, executed with surgical precision by India, has emerged as a turning point in South Asian military dynamics. Beyond the immediate tactical success, the operation has exposed a deeper vulnerability in Pakistan’s military — its overdependence on Chinese-made weapons and technology. By decisively neutralizing key Chinese-origin platforms used by Pakistan, India not only sent a message to its western neighbor but also delivered a strategic setback to China’s military export ambitions.

Background of Operation Sindoor

Launched in response to escalating ceasefire violations and terror infrastructure across the border, Operation Sindoor was designed to:

Neutralize high-value military assets on Pakistani soil.
Dismantle terror launch pads protected by Chinese-supplied radar and missile systems.
Demonstrate India’s deep-strike capabilities and technological superiority.

The operation was carried out by a mix of IAF fighter jets, missiles, and special forces using precision-guided munitions — including India’s indigenously developed smart bombs and French-origin Hammer missiles, which proved effective against Chinese defenses.

China’s Military Exports to Pakistan: A Growing Dependency

Over the years, Pakistan has become increasingly reliant on China for defense supplies due to economic limitations and strategic alignment. This includes:

Chinese Weapon System	Used by Pakistan	Targeted in Operation Sindoor?
JF-17 Thunder fighter jets	Yes (co-developed)	Yes, targeted on ground
HQ-9 air defense systems	Yes	Yes, radar neutralized
Drones (Wing Loong II, CH-4)	Yes	Destroyed on tarmac
Anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles	Yes	Ammunition depot struck
NORINCO artillery & tanks	Yes	Ground positions damaged

Read This: China’s PL-15 Missile Fails in Operation Sindoor: A Strategic Advantage for India

These weapons were not only showcased as symbols of China’s defense diplomacy but also actively promoted for export to Africa, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Tactical Breakdown of the Operation

1. Air Superiority and Electronic Warfare

India’s use of Su-30 MKI with Israeli jamming pods, Mirage 2000s, and Rafale jets overwhelmed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defense systems. Key highlights include:

Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD): India’s electronic warfare teams jammed Chinese radar systems like the JY-27A, creating a corridor for precision strikes.
Destruction of Grounded JF-17s: Several parked JF-17s, China’s export showpieces, were destroyed, exposing their vulnerability.

2. Use of Advanced Missiles

India employed HAMMER missiles, SCALP cruise missiles, and indigenous stand-off weapons to hit deeply entrenched Chinese-origin systems:

High accuracy: SCALP missiles reportedly hit underground bunkers with minimal collateral damage.
Deep penetration: Hammer missiles breached hardened Chinese-made shelters.

3. Special Forces Operations

Reports suggest Indian Para SF units conducted cross-border sabotage operations targeting drone launch stations and command posts protected by Chinese communications gear.

Strategic Outcomes

✅ Psychological and Tactical Setback for Pakistan

Loss of costly Chinese weapons and aircraft weakened Pakistan’s defense grid.
Operational embarrassment for the Pakistani Air Force, despite heavy investments.

✅ Erosion of Chinese Weapon Credibility

Operation Sindoor cast doubt over the effectiveness of Chinese defense systems in real battlefield conditions:

Air defense breach: Systems like HQ-9 and JY-27 failed to detect or repel Indian attacks.
Drone vulnerability: Chinese drones were destroyed before takeoff or in combat.

✅ Boost to India’s Defense Reputation

India demonstrated its capability to penetrate multi-layered Chinese-made defenses and destroy high-value assets:

Enhanced global perception of Indian military prowess.
Increased interest in Indian defense exports and partnerships.

China’s Dilemma: Reputational Damage and Strategic Blowback

Operation Sindoor struck at the heart of China’s global arms trade ambitions:

Export Impact: Countries considering Chinese weapons (like Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt) are now questioning their reliability.
Diplomatic Damage: China’s image as a “reliable arms provider” suffered a serious dent.
Technological Exposure: India’s intelligence on Chinese systems and their weaknesses may be shared with allies like the U.S., France, and Israel.

India’s Strategic Messaging

By targeting Chinese equipment used by Pakistan, India sent clear signals to both adversaries:

To Pakistan: Dependency on foreign arms won’t protect you from precision retaliation.
To China: India can counter your indirect aggression through asymmetric and surgical tactics.
To the world: Indian armed forces can expose and neutralize even “next-gen” Chinese weapons.

Geopolitical Implications

🌐 South Asia’s Power Equation Shifts

India’s dominance in air superiority and defense technology shifts the regional power balance, forcing Pakistan to rethink its reliance on Beijing.

🌐 Arms Race and Countermeasures

China may now attempt to upgrade its export models or offer newer systems, but trust erosion will take time to rebuild. Meanwhile, India is ramping up its Make-in-India defense initiative, inviting global partnerships while enhancing indigenous production.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor was not just a military strike — it was a strategic doctrine in motion. By destroying Chinese-made weapons used by Pakistan, India demonstrated how a smart and technologically superior force can dismantle adversary defenses without escalating to full-scale war. It exposed the Achilles’ heel of Chinese arms exports and left Pakistan scrambling to fill the void left by the shattered illusion of protection.

This operation will likely be studied in defense circles for years to come — as a masterclass in asymmetric deterrence, technological edge, and geopolitical messaging.