Deploying advanced radars and lasers, India expands air defence with Mission Sudarshan Chakra to secure skies.
India is set to launch Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious air defence initiative featuring over 7,000 radars, satellite surveillance, and directed-energy weapons, aiming to protect key cities and critical infrastructure. The system will integrate the Navy, Air Force, Army, defence PSUs, paramilitary forces, private sector companies, and research institutions into a single, cohesive network.
Currently, India’s air defence primarily secures installations in New Delhi and select locations. The new multi-layered shield will expand coverage, detecting, identifying, and tracking incoming threats across a significantly larger area. Early tests have already been conducted with the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), which included Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORADS) missiles and a 5-kilowatt laser system.
The system will also leverage enhanced satellite surveillance, with plans to deploy over 50 satellites by 2030. These satellites will be cross-linked with radars and smaller satellites, forming a robust, space-based monitoring network. The blueprint mirrors global trends, with nations like Israel and the US developing similar air defence solutions, such as the Iron Dome and the “Golden Dome” project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the mission during his Independence Day speech, highlighting the growing importance of indigenous air defence following tensions with Pakistan. With Mission Sudarshan Chakra, India aims to establish a technologically advanced, self-reliant defence system capable of safeguarding its skies in future conflicts.
