A leaked classified report from Australia’s National Security College has exposed the significant shortcomings of China’s advanced air defense technology when confronted by Indian missiles. The comprehensive 87-page study, titled “Air and Missile Warfare in the 2025 Subcontinental Conflict: Observations and Consequences,” details the events of Operation Sindoor. It indicates that Chinese systems like the YL-8E counter-stealth radar, HQ-16FE, and HQ-9BE surface-to-air missile batteries, which Pakistan acquired between 2021 and 2024, failed to detect or neutralize Indian threats. According to the report, Indian Air Force and Navy aircraft successfully launched cruise missiles, including BrahMos-A and SCALP, which bypassed Pakistani defenses without a single interception. The report criticizes the Chinese systems for exaggerated capabilities, especially concerning their ability to counter stealth aircraft and advanced missiles. The radar’s susceptibility to false signals in challenging terrain further hampered its effectiveness. The report also highlights the ineffectiveness of Chinese CM-400 air-to-surface missiles and the vulnerability of fixed missile launchers to drone attacks. These findings suggest a major credibility crisis for Chinese defense exports and a stark demonstration of India’s growing military prowess.
