'Pakistan no match for India': Group Capt. (Retd.) Rajiv Narang on Islamabad's weak air defence systems

NEW DELHI: Group Captain Rajiv Narang , Vayu Sena Medal (Retd.) said Pakistan’s air defence systems are weak and “not a match” for India’s multi-layered air defence capability.

In an exclusive interview with TOI, Captain Rajiv Narang, criticised Pakistan’s reliance on low-cost tactics such as drones, artillery, and sleeper cells, noting that these methods reflect the country's economic limitations.

“They are not resorting to a conventional military strike in the real sense. While they’ve used aircraft and other means, their preferred tactics in my view are drones, missiles, artillery, and sleeper cells,” Captain Rajiv Narang said.

“Why I say so is that these are the ones Pakistan can afford,” Narang added.

While “India, on its part, has its own drones, missiles, artillery, and counter-drone systems. Pakistan's objective is to deplete our high-value air defense assets, but India has multiple options to neutralise such threats,” he said.

Pakistan last night targeted military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur near the International Boundary using missiles and drones.

The Indian Armed Forces neutralised the threat with no reported losses. This came amid India's ongoing 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan-backed terrorism.


The Retired Air Force officer further emphasised that India has acted with restraint and precision amid Pakistan's provocations but warned that continued aggression from Islamabad will leave India with little choice but to expand operations.

“India has made it very clear from the beginning that it has only responded to provocations and is not looking to escalate.,” he told TOI.

“The responsibility for escalation lies with Pakistan. They have been provoking India again and again, and expanding the scope of their actions” he added.

Narang said that India's response has been proportional but warned that "the cost for Pakistan will be disproportionately high" if it continues its current course.

He added that Indian defense forces have already demonstrated their superiority by effectively repelling drone and missile attacks on "military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur."

Touching on India’s drone capabilities, Narang highlighted ongoing advancements by Indian industry in loitering munitions and swarm drone technology, indicating that this phase of conflict may see their operational use.

“India has been working on drone technology for quite some time. Our industry has developed various systems—loitering munitions, swarm drones, and more—which will likely be tested and demonstrated during this period” Narang said.

Further, responding to a question on what it would take for Pakistan to back down, Group Captain (Retd.) Rajiv Narang said, “Pakistan is not getting the message that it has been outsmarted here, because normally if they would do something, they should have at least conducted war against to understand how India would retaliate.”

“What they don’t realize is that escalation doesn’t mean India will follow their template. Our response will be on our terms,” he added.

Emphasising India’s strategic approach, he noted, “The options with India will be proportionate, but we will be of our choice how we decide. Now Pakistan is not realising that if they continue to do what they are doing, the cost on them will not be proportionate.

He concluded by stressing India's strategic readiness, pointing to strong coordination among all three defense services and a clear, deliberate approach from the country's leadership.

"This time, India is not following Pakistan’s template. We will decide our template. Pakistan must realise we are striking only the legitimate targets, which we feel are important and we don't want to escalate unless Pakistan does not change its course," he said.