You heard about it: in May, India and Pakistan engaged in a military skirmish.
On the Indian side, it was called Operation Sindoor, and it was heavily documented. Of course: this is a rare case of two modern militaries facing each other, using modern Indian, Western, and Chinese equipment. The perfect occasion to learn what these toys are capable of, and how they can be used in a bigger conflict.
The world is fond of these rehearsals, and many talked about it. But let’s take some distance, and take the time to talk to those in the know.
The operational effectiveness of Indian systems, especially air defence radars and interceptor missiles, surprised even domestic observers.
So, what to make of it?
The truth is, Operation Sindoor not only showcased the robust capabilities of indigenous Indian weapons but also starkly exposed the deficiencies of Chinese-made military hardware.
And this has critical implications for Taiwan, given its security environment and the ever-present threat posed by China’s military.
Conducted between May 7 and 10 in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam (in Jammu and Kashmir), the operation involved intense aerial engagements, highlighting the performance differences between Indian and Chinese-origin weapons.
I talked with senior officials in India about it, and I got two critical takeaways relevant to Taiwan: the underperformance of Chinese military equipment and the superior reliability and effectiveness of Indian-made systems.
Chinese Weapon Systems: “Performance Fell Significantly Short”
Indian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted the stark failures observed in Chinese-origin weaponry deployed by Pakistan during the conflict.
Pakistan’s J-10C and JF-17 combat aircraft, equipped with PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and supported by HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, struggled to effectively counter Indian attacks.
There is considerable scope for discreet dialogue and defence cooperation.
“Chinese-made air defence systems, especially the HQ-9 and LY-80, showed significant operational deficiencies. They were unable to intercept Indian precision strikes effectively,” one senior defence official said. According to assessments shared privately within Indian defence circles, this underperformance has already triggered anxiety among existing and potential customers of Chinese military hardware, particularly in Africa and South Asia—regions critical to China’s export ambitions.
A security official elaborated further: “Countries relying on Chinese military systems are now reassessing their procurement strategies. This conflict has seriously dented confidence in Chinese equipment.”
India’s Indigenous Systems Shine Amid Global Interest
Conversely, Indian-developed weapons systems performed well beyond expectations.
Platforms like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash surface-to-air missile, Pinaka rocket artillery systems, and indigenous radars demonstrated superior reliability, precision, and cost-effectiveness.
“The operational effectiveness of Indian systems, especially air defence radars and interceptor missiles, surprised even domestic observers,” noted a senior security official familiar with the operation. “Systems like Akash and indigenous electronic warfare suites achieved interception rates far higher than anticipated.”
Significantly, these successes come at a crucial time as India aggressively expands its defence exports, targeting ₹50,000 crore (6 billion US dollars) in military exports by 2029. Recent successes, including a significant BrahMos missile sale to the Philippines, have bolstered India’s credibility as a reliable supplier of advanced yet affordable military technology.
Geopolitical Opportunities for Taiwan
Taiwanese experts have already recognised India’s expanding defence capabilities as a strategic opportunity.
Dr. Mumin Chen from Taiwan’s National Chung Hsing University previously highlighted India’s appeal as a cost-effective, reliable provider of arms, particularly for nations seeking alternatives to expensive Western systems.
In this context, India’s recent performance in Operation Sindoor offers Taiwan practical insights. An official within India’s security establishment noted: “Given the shared challenges posed by China, there is considerable scope for discreet dialogue and defence cooperation, especially in exchanging technical insights and electronic warfare data.”
Crucial Electronic Warfare Data: A Valuable Commodity
But there is more.
A critical yet understated aspect of Operation Sindoor was the extensive electronic warfare intelligence gathered by Indian radar and electronic surveillance systems.
Indian air defence assets captured unprecedented data on Chinese-origin equipment, including detailed electronic signatures and operational parameters of systems like the J-10C jets, JF-17 fighters, and PL-15 missiles.
Read also:
And officials confirmed to me that several nations, including major Indo-Pacific powers, have shown strong interest in accessing this intelligence.
“This is invaluable data, crucial for developing effective countermeasures,” one official noted. “Countries in East Asia, including Taiwan, face direct threats from similar Chinese platforms, making our collected intelligence strategically relevant.”
Towards Strategic Cooperation?
This matters: given the shared threat perceptions and the demonstrated shortcomings of Chinese weaponry, defence cooperation between India and Taiwan—particularly discreet exchanges of technical data, joint training, and maritime collaboration—appears increasingly feasible.
And Indian officials indicated openness to broader defence engagement in a calibrated manner.
“Our experience in Operation Sindoor is a testament to India’s evolving defence capabilities and the limitations of Chinese hardware. Taiwan, as a frontline state, has every reason to pay close attention,” an official concluded.
As Taipei navigates the complexities of its security environment, India’s recent combat experiences and the superior performance of indigenous weapons systems offer Taiwan a unique strategic opportunity to enhance its preparedness in the face of potential Chinese aggression. And in any case, deter it.
