India's Operation Sindoor Exposes Turkish Drone Flaws, Triggers Pakistan’s Scramble For Fixes: Report

India’s successful interception of Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor has forced Islamabad and Ankara to go back to the drawing board, India Today reported.

Pakistan and Turkey are now reportedly restructuring their $900 million drone deal, with Islamabad seeking more advanced systems after Turkish-made drones failed to deliver during the India-Pak conflict in May.

Most of the drones used by Pakistan in the aftermath of the 7 May Indian strikes on terror launchpads were sourced from Turkey and China.

Indian air defence systems, however, neutralised them with precision—exposing gaps in Pakistan’s drone warfare capability and raising doubts about the reliability of imported platforms.

In response, representatives from Pakistan and Turkey have met multiple times post-Operation Sindoor to address deficiencies in their military equipment, India Today reported citing sources.

The new arrangement is reportedly expected to include Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI UAVs, alongside over 700 Turkish-made loitering munitions (kamikaze drone designed for targeted strikes), the report added.

At the heart of the renewed push is Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, which is now under pressure to deliver improved performance.

Baykar recently showcased its KEMANKE 1 mini cruise missile in tests held in Turkish provinces of Tekirdağ and Edirne.

The AI-powered mini smart cruise missile hit both aerial and ground targets with precision—exactly the kind of firepower Pakistan is now seeking.

Earlier deployment of Turkey’s YIHA drones, jointly made by Baykar and Pakistan's National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, by Islamabad fell short of expectations.

India’s air defence grid proved too advanced, forcing both sides to reassess not just the tech but also tactics.

Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Guler met Pakistani leaders in Islamabad—including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pak Army Chief Asim Munir—to fast-track defence cooperation.

The meetings also focused on intelligence sharing and closer strategic alignment.

Indian intelligence agencies believe this drone rethink is part of a broader effort by Pakistan and Turkey to deepen military ties, especially in the context of India’s growing defence capabilities.

It also ties in with their target of ramping up bilateral trade to $5 billion by the end of 2025.

While Pakistan and Turkey look to upgrade their drone arsenal, Operation Sindoor appears to have triggered a quiet arms race—one where technology, not troop numbers, will decide the edge.

Also Read: Ministry Of Defence To Host National Workshop On Indigenising UAV And C-UAS Technologies Amid Evolving Strategic Needs Post Operation Sindoor