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Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's plan to construct a comprehensive defense system, dubbed the 'Sudarshan Chakra,' during his Independence Day speech. This multi-layered framework aims to integrate advanced surveillance technologies, robust cyber protection measures, and stringent physical safeguards to protect Indian citizens and critical infrastructure from potential threats, including enemy strikes and terrorist activities. The 'Sudarshan Chakra' draws inspiration from existing missile defense systems like Israel's Iron Dome and the United States' proposed Golden Dome, suggesting a multi-tiered approach to intercepting incoming threats. While operational details remain scarce, sources indicate that the Sudarshan Chakra will extend beyond a mere missile shield, incorporating precision counterstrike capabilities and measures to neutralize cyber warfare threats, such as hacking attempts and phishing scams. The ambitious project is expected to foster collaboration between leading scientific and defense research agencies, the Indian military, and private sector innovators, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision of 'aatmanirbhar Bharat,' or a self-reliant India, particularly in the crucial defense and critical infrastructure sectors. The announcement of the 'Sudarshan Chakra' plan gains context from recent security challenges, including the April Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in May. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan reportedly attempted to target Indian military bases, shoot down Indian fighter jets, and devastate Indian cities and towns over a period of nearly 100 hours. However, India's existing armed forces and missile defense systems effectively thwarted these attacks. This experience highlighted the critical need to reinforce and improve the layers of military and technological protection surrounding vital military and civilian institutions, such as electricity grids, communication networks, food and water supplies, medical facilities, and defense systems. These institutions are considered high-priority targets for enemy forces. India's existing Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) played a pivotal role in maintaining air superiority over Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The IACCS integrates the air defense systems of the Army, Air Force, and Navy into a unified system that can track and neutralize incoming threats in real time. This integration provides India with a 'net-centric operational capability,' which is essential in modern warfare. The IACCS coordinates, integrates, and controls air defense systems, including radars, surveillance systems such as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems), and fighter jets. Consequently, the IACCS enhances the military's situational awareness, enabling it to deploy soldiers, equipment, and other assets based on the nature of the threat. It is anticipated that the 'Sudarshan Chakra' will be developed around the IACCS and its existing multi-layered air defense systems, including the Army's indigenous Akashteer network. The United States, under the leadership of then-President Donald Trump, also proposed a 'golden dome,' a ground-, sea-, and space-based missile defense system intended to protect the US and potentially Canada. This advanced shield would counter next-generation aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, at an estimated cost of US$ 175 billion. The 'golden dome' aimed to deploy next-generation technology across land, sea, and space. Missile defense systems are increasingly recognized as critical components of a nation's military capabilities. These systems typically consist of interlocked, multi-tiered layers designed to detect, track, and intercept incoming ballistic weapons at various stages of flight, including boost, midcourse, and terminal phases. The primary objective is to detect and shoot down a missile before it reaches its target. Israel's Iron Dome and Arrow systems provide a compelling example of the effectiveness of missile defense systems. These systems have demonstrated their importance by intercepting the majority of over 100 rockets fired by Iran in April and October of the previous year. Israel's Iron Dome air defense system has intercepted thousands of rockets since it became operational in 2011, providing the country with crucial protection during times of conflict. It has been extensively used to protect military and civilian sites from frequent rocket barrages fired from Gaza and Lebanon during conflicts. The Iron Dome was initially developed by Israel following the 2006 Lebanon War and was later joined by the United States, which has provided defense expertise and billions of dollars in financial support for the program. According to Israeli defense firm Rafael, which contributed to the system's design, the Iron Dome has an interception rate of around 90 percent. Beyond India, the US, and Israel, other countries have also invested in advanced air defense systems. Russia has the A-135 anti-ballistic system, which protects Moscow and other major cities, as well as the potent S-400, which can neutralize multiple intermediate-range ballistic missiles. India currently has three S-400 squadrons, with two more scheduled for delivery. China possesses several options, including the HQ-9 long-range, surface-to-air, anti-ballistic-capable system, which has been sold to countries such as Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Taiwan and Japan also have such systems in place. Taiwan has the Sky Bow family of surface-to-air, anti-ballistic missile, and anti-aircraft defense systems, while Japan is preparing to operationalize the US' PAC-3 surface-to-air interceptors. As diplomatic and military tensions continue to rise across the world, the list of countries with tiered air defense systems is expected to grow.
Source: 'Sudarshan Chakra' To Protect Our Skies. India's 'Iron Dome' Explained