Operation Sindoor: Chinese radars fail again after Balakot

Operation Sindoor has once again exposed Pakistan’s critical air defence vulnerabilities, as Indian supersonic and ballistic missile strikes reportedly went undetected by Chinese-supplied radar systems. This marks the third major failure of Pakistani radars, following similar lapses during the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the accidental firing of a BrahMos missile in 2022.

Intelligence reports suggest that Pakistan’s LY-80 LOMADS, a radar and missile defence system imported from China, was unable to track the incoming threats due to the speed, altitude, and precision of Indian weaponry. Despite claims of detecting targets up to 150 km away, the radar systems reportedly remained blind until after impact.

These repeated failures have reignited scrutiny within Pakistan’s defence circles, especially as the LY-80 systems had already been flagged for 388 technical defects — 103 of them newly discovered. Reports indicate a lack of spare parts and technical support have further diminished the system’s reliability, particularly in critical units like the 96 LOMAD regiment.

The 2022 BrahMos incident had already raised eyebrows, when a supersonic missile accidentally fired from India went undetected through Pakistani airspace before crash-landing in Punjab province. With Operation Sindoor’s successful strike adding to this string of failures, Pakistan’s strategic defence posture is now under serious question.

While Pakistan continues to rely heavily on Chinese military technology, Operation Sindoor may serve as a wake-up call about the system’s operational credibility. As regional tensions simmer, these radar gaps could become a significant factor in South Asia’s evolving security dynamics.