The recent Ukrainian attack on the Russian port city of St Petersburg has once again highlighted the critical importance of robust air defence systems. The strike, which occurred approximately 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, targeted key infrastructure including an oil complex and a naval base, just hours before the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. According to Reuters, the attack successfully bypassed Russian air defences, embarrassing President Vladimir Putin.
Global Context and India's Response
The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia have renewed global focus on multi-layered, integrated air defence systems capable of countering a wide spectrum of threats, from unmanned aerial vehicles to intercontinental ballistic missiles. India, having demonstrated its air defence capabilities during Operation Sindoor, is now looking to build on that success.
Operation Sindoor: Lessons Learned
A report by the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses noted that while India's air defence performed well during Operation Sindoor, the operation exposed gaps in electronic warfare, counter-drone systems, and low-level radar technology. The report emphasized the need to strengthen and expand India's missile defence architecture.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra
In his Independence Day address in 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a project aimed at creating an invincible, impenetrable, and highly integrated multi-layered protective shield over India by 2035. This system will combine both defensive and offensive capabilities.
According to the report, Sudarshan Chakra is envisioned to be akin to Israel's Iron Dome and the interconnected US platform of THAAD, Patriot, and Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD). However, India's system plans to significantly expand its scope, particularly in space-based surveillance and interception.
Key Components and Objectives
Beyond space-based infrastructure, the report recommends the inclusion and upgrade of advanced sensors, autonomous platforms, resilient communication networks, and potential integration of Artificial Intelligence across platforms. The comprehensive air defence structure is being built to address the complex geopolitical reality of 21st-century India, which has nuclear-armed states as both adversaries and neighbours.
The primary objectives of the system include defending major population centres, critical infrastructure, economic assets, and military hardware from sophisticated missiles and low-cost saturation tactics such as drone swarms, loitering munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Challenges Ahead
Challenges during development may include securing adequate funding, fostering engagement with the private sector, and actualizing the system within the ten-year timeframe. Despite these hurdles, the Sudarshan Chakra project represents a significant step forward in India's national security posture.
