THE CONTEXT: Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2025, during the Independence Day address. Just its ten days, DRDO carried out test and a variety of weapons hit three targets. The test signifies the multi-layered characteristics of India’s present and the future defence system.
ABOUT MISSION SUDARSHAN CHAKRA
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- It is envisioned as a nationwide air and missile defence shieldcovering strategic, civilian, and critical infrastructure sites by 2035.
- Inspiration & Indigenous Drive: Named after Lord Vishnu’s legendary weapon, symbolizing precision and invincibility, the project is being developed under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India)initiative with DRDO and domestic industry in the lead.
- Concept: Draws parallels with Israel’s Iron Domebut aims for wider scope, integrating both defensive and offensive capabilities across multiple domains.
MAJOR FEATURES & ARCHITECTURE
1. Multi-Layered Defence: Combines several tiers—from short-range interception to long-range deterrence. Integrates systems like Akash-NG, MRSAM, directed-energy weapons (DEW), and interceptor missiles.
2. Sensors & Surveillance: Employs land-, air-, sea-, space-based sensors, satellites, and radar networks. Incorporates AI-powered intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and cyber capabilities to support real-time decision-making.
3. Kinetic & Non-Kinetic Countermeasures: Uses both hard kills(interceptor missiles, lasers) and soft kills (electronic/cyber systems). Directed-energy weapons such as high-power lasers will target drones and low-altitude threats.
4. Command & Control (C2): AI-enabled C2 centers aim for seamless tri-service integration(Army, Air Force, Navy).
5. Project Kusha – Interceptor Missiles: Critical pillar of the mission, Project Kusha aims to develop a new generation of interceptor missiles (ranges up to ~350 km). Testing slated between 2026–2028, with induction by 2030.
6. Initial Milestone – IADWS Test: DRDO successfully tested an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)on August 23, 2025, engaging multiple aerial targets (UAVs, drones) at varying altitudes using a combination of QRSAM, VSHORADS, and a laser DEW (range ~30 km).
BENEFITS & STRATEGIC VALUE
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- Comprehensive Protection: Aims to shield urban centres, religious sites, hospitals, railways, airbases, and nuclear/strategic infrastructure.
- Enhanced Deterrence: Combines defensive and offensive capabilities—the “shield and sword”—deterring adversaries with rapid interception and counterstrike potential.
- Technological Leap & Self-Reliance: Built entirely with homegrown capabilities—leveraging AI, lasers, quantum and big data technologies—boosting India’s defence ecosystem.
- Scalable, Future-Ready System: Designed to handle emerging threats like hypersonic missiles, stealth platforms, swarm drones, and cyber intrusions.
COMPARISON OF GLOBAL MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEMS
| Feature | Project Kusha (India) | S-400 Triumf (Russia) | Iron Dome (Israel) | THAAD (USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) interceptor | Long-range Air Defence System | Short-range Rocket & Missile Defence | Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence |
| Range | Up to 350 km | Up to 400 km (missiles vary 40–400 km) | 4–70 km | 200 km (interception altitude up to 150 km) |
| Primary Targets | Aircraft, drones, cruise & ballistic missiles | Aircraft, UAVs, cruise & ballistic missiles | Short-range rockets, artillery, UAVs | Short & intermediate-range ballistic missiles |
| Indigenisation | 100% Indian (DRDO, BDL) | Russian import (India bought 5 units) | Israeli, partly co-developed with US | US-developed |
| Deployment Timeline | Testing from 2026; full integration by 2035 (as part of Sudarshan Chakra) | Already deployed globally (India operational since 2021) | Deployed since 2011 (esp. Gaza conflict) | Deployed in South Korea, Guam, Middle East |
CHALLENGES & CONSIDERATIONS
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- Complex Integration: Requires massive integration of sensors, computing infrastructure, domain interoperability, and a whole-of-nation approach.
- Ambitious Timeline & Technical Hurdles: Targeted for full operationalization by 2035, but developing cutting-edge, layered defence systems poses technical, logistical, and coordination challenges.
- Scale & Coverage: No nation has implemented full national coverage with such a system—setting a precedent introduces uncertainty and demands sustained focus.
- Cost & Resource Allocation: While seen as cost-effective by defence leadership (CDS), financing and maintaining a multi-domain system of this scale will need careful resource management.
CONCLUSION
Deployment of Sudarshan Chakra would be considered another milestone in India’s defence capabilities. It will not only make India self-reliant but also a formidable country in defence system.
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