Book Review
Unfolded - India’s Air Defence from WW II to Operation Sindoor Author: Pankaj P Singh
By Soumitra Banerji
‘Unfolded: India’s Air Defence from WW II to Operation Sindoor’ by Pankaj P Singh is a comprehensive and narrative-driven chronicle of the evolution of India’s air defence network. The book spans from the period of World War II, addressing foundational elements like the Calcutta aerial bombardment (1942–1944) and the strategic losses of the time, up to the cutting-edge, multi-layered systems utilized during the contemporary Operation Sindoor (an operation launched in response to a terror attack).
Key Themes and Coverage
- Historical Sweep: The book candidly addresses key historical junctures, including the strategic deficiencies in radar capabilities and air power during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the post-Partition weakening of the defence network.
- Technological Evolution: It traces India’s journey towards sophisticated systems, highlighting the contribution of figures like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in ushering in the era of missile-based air defence. It discusses the integration of modern, indigenous systems like the Akash missile system and the role of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) in creating a cohesive, net-centric defence shield.
- Narrative Focus: Reviews suggest the author successfully balances detailed technical and strategic information with compelling storytelling, incorporating real-world incidents, human dilemmas, and the split-second decisions made by military personnel. The text is noted for its ability to make a complex, technical subject accessible to a wider audience.
- Geopolitical Context: The book places India’s air defence within a broader geopolitical framework, including a discussion of global benchmarks like Israel’s Iron Dome and an analysis of Cold War brinkmanship and its parallels to modern strategic decisions.
- Operation Sindoor Analysis: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to Operation Sindoor (circa 2025), which served as a crucial stress test for India’s robust air defence systems against retaliatory drone and missile attacks, ultimately showcasing India’s deterrent capability and technological preparedness.
Readers have generally praised the book for its timeliness and its unique focus on a subject that lacks extensive coverage in the public domain. It is often described as a primer on not just technology, but on the military “mindset, message, and mission.”
The book is a vital contribution, effectively cultivating critical awareness regarding India’s Air Defence architecture, underscoring its paramount criticality, and illustrating an ideal evolutionary roadmap necessary for navigating the complexities of the current geopolitical environment.
What I personally found enthralling about this book is a gripping narrative created by the Author, in explaining a complex domain content. It is a book for those uninitiated in the complexities of the underlying history, strategy, evolution and impact in terms of deterrence of an otherwise defensive approach in waging of a war.
The Author has very successfully created awareness of the ‘As Is’ and ‘To Be’ of Air Defence and Theatre Warfare…as also initiated participation, cooperation, understanding and support of the entire citizenry of India…thereby increasing the effectiveness of our country’s resilience in case of any future geopolitical aggressions.
To conclude, I would like to reassert the importance of this book for the lay person, in understanding the complexities being handled by our defence personnel and political strategists; and figure out our role of support within the system, so as to make their effort more effective.
(Soumitra Banerji is an acclaimed Indian author and writer, best known for his thought-provoking novel “Liminal Tides”.)
