In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra,' a multi-layered air defence network designed to protect India from aerial threats and retaliate against adversaries. According to sources, the system, referred to as the "Sudarshan Chakra," is a complex combination of long-range radars, satellite and airborne surveillance, and long-range interceptor missiles.
This security architecture was conceptualised by national security planners and missile scientists after Pakistan launched nearly 1,000 projectiles, including ballistic missiles and armed drones, at India during "Operation Sindoor".
While some of these threats were neutralised by existing anti-aircraft batteries and surface-to-air missiles, others were deflected through the jamming of the enemy's command and control network. The need for a comprehensive system like the Sudarshan Chakra was further highlighted by Israel's success in neutralising 498 out of 500 ballistic missiles fired by Iran using its Iron Dome system.
The development of the Sudarshan Chakra is also a response to Pakistan's development of the Ababeel surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile, which has a 2,200 km range and is equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) warheads. The new system aims to neutralise all aerial threats, from drones to ballistic missiles, to protect India's vast landmass and civilian population.
PM Modi stated, "India is launching Mission Sudarshan Chakra to create a powerful weapon system to thwart and attempt by enemies to attack us. All public places will be covered by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035."
While the Cabinet Committee on Security has already approved Project Kusha, which focuses on extended-range interceptors for the Indian Air Force and Navy by 2030, Mission Sudarshan Chakra is a more comprehensive security structure.
It will involve control centres receiving inputs from various sources, including satellites, airborne early warning systems, and long-range radars. This information will be used to identify incoming threats and then either deflect them away from populated areas or use precise interceptors to neutralise them before the MIRV warheads can be launched or before the missile re-enters the atmosphere.
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While India has already developed significant advanced radar capabilities, it needs to create interceptors with different ranges and warhead weights to counter missiles at various altitudes and distances. In this context, it is crucial for national security planners to study Chinese missile systems, as a majority of Pakistan's missile arsenal is of Chinese or Turkish origin.
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's Fatah I and II missiles, as well as Chinese CM 400 AKG missiles fired from JF-17 fighters and Turkish Yiha drones, were all intercepted or neutralised by Indian air defence systems.
According to top national security planners, Mission Sudarshan Chakra is not just a defensive system but also has an offensive component. India is in the process of developing short, medium, and long-range ballistic and cruise missiles, such as the Pralay and Nirbhay, for precision strikes on enemy targets.
The Indian Navy will require long-range missiles to target enemy ships from both land and sea. Ultimately, Mission Sudarshan Chakra is intended to be India's answer to all aerial threats, with a massive retaliatory capability that can bypass enemy defenses and radars.
Also Read: How India leveraged S-400 to beat Pak threat
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