The world watched closely as India, armed to the teeth with some of the most ad-vanced military technology, marched into conflict.
With French Rafale fighter jets, Israeli surveillance drones and Russia’s S-400 missile defence system in its arsenal, the stage seemed set for a swift and overwhelming victory.
The media buzzed with anticipation, assuming that firepower would automatically translate into dominance.
But what followed told a very different story.
One by one, these high-tech weapons failed to make the intended impact.
The Rafales couldn’t establish air superiority.
Israeli drones, known for their precision, were taken down with startling ease.
Even the S-400, considered one of the most formidable air defense systems in the world, fell short of expectations.
The weapons did not malfunction.
The real issue lay elsewhere: in the people tasked with operating them.
The difference wasn’t in the equipment.
It was in the mindset, discipline and courage of the men behind the machines.
On the other side stood Pakistani soldiers, focused, disciplined and fearless.
Operating with limited resources but abundant resolve, they showcased what truly matters in war: professionalism, unity and a commitment to defend at all costs.
Their performance reminded the world that wars are not won by flashy technology or billion-dollar imports, but by the sheer willpower and tactical brilliance of those on the front-lines.
Consider a simple example.
Give a powerful motorcycle to someone who’s unsure of their abilities and chances are they’ll stall, lose control, or crash.
But in the hands of an expert rider, that same machine becomes a tool of mastery.
You’ll witness preci-ion, balance and even daring stunts.
The bike hasn’t changed.
The difference lies entirely in the rider’s skill, confidence and control.
This war unfolded much the same way.
India’s military failures were not due to flawed hardware.
They were rooted in a lack of preparation, shaky morale and poor coordination.
This conflict didn’t just expose vulnerabilities in India’s military structure.
It also raised uncomfortable questions for the countries supplying them with weapons.
France, Israel and Russia must now reflect: Are their cutting-edge technologies being entrusted to capable hands?
Or are they being wasted by forces not ready for real combat?
Weapons are not ornaments to be flaunted on national parades.
They are instruments of war that demand not only technical knowledge but also psychological readiness, leadership and team cohesion.
Without these human factors, even the most advanced system is just dead weight.
Until India develops the military maturity to complement its arsenal through training, discipline and leadership, it will continue to falter in real confrontations.
And unless arms-exporting nations evaluate the capacity and credibility of their buyers, their reputations will remain vulnerable to how their products perform in actual conflict.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not the weapon that wins the war.
It’s the warrior.
—The writer is former Regional Executive Inclusive Development at NBP,Mirpur AK.([email protected])
