How Indian interceptors crushed Pak drones: Inside the impregnable air defence web
India's air defence grid is a sophisticated, multi-layered shield designed to counter a diverse spectrum of aerial threats-from long-range ballistic missiles and stealth aircraft to drones and loitering munitions.The system's resilience and effectiveness were demonstrated when it neutralised the large-scale missile and drone attack from Pakistan, safeguarding 15 critical military sites across 1,800 km of Indian airspace.Here's how India's air defence grid is structured and what's in its arsenal.HOW IS THE GRID STACKED?India's integrated air defence operates through concentric layers, each dedicated to intercepting threats at different ranges and altitudes.advertisementThe system is coordinated by the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which links a network of radars, sensors, and command posts via high-speed optic fibre, enabling real-time tracking and rapid response. Outermost Layer: S-400 Sudarshan ChakraSystem: S-400 Triumf (Sudarshan Chakra)Origin: RussiaRange: Up to 400 km (engagement), 600 km (detection)Role: The S-400 forms the backbone of India's long-range air defence, capable of tracking and destroying stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and tactical ballistic missiles before they approach critical targets.Status: Three squadrons operational; two more arriving by 2026.High-Altitude and Ballistic Missile DefenceSystem: Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) ProgrammeComponents: Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for exo-atmospheric interception; Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for endo-atmospheric interceptionRange: Intercepts ballistic missiles launched from up to 5,000 km away; PAD can engage targets at altitudes up to 80 km.Intermediate Layer: MRSAM/Barak-8System: Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) / Barak-8Origin: India-Israel collaborationRange: 70–100 kmRole: Engages high-speed aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones, complementing the S-400 and filling the crucial mid-tier gap.
Indian forces swiftly deployed both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures. (Photo: DRDO)
Short to Medium Range: Akash and QRSAMSystem: Akash, Akash-NG, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM)Origin: IndigenousRange: Akash (30–50 km), Akash-NG (up to 70 km), QRSAM (30 km)Role: Provides rapid response against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones, especially during saturation attacks.Close-In and Point DefenceSystems: Spyder (Israeli, 8–10 km), Zu-23-2, Shilka, Tunguska, VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defence) systemsRole: Protects vital installations from drones, low-flying aircraft, and precision-guided munitions at very short ranges (2–5 km).Counter-UAS and Electronic WarfareSystems: Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Grid, including jammers, spoofers, and directed-energy weaponsRole: Detects, tracks, and neutralises hostile drones and loitering munitions using radar, RF sensors, and kinetic or electronic countermeasures. INTEGRATION AND REAL-TIME RESPONSEThe entire grid is managed by IACCS, which fuses data from multiple sensors and radars to prioritise threats and assign the most suitable interceptor. This integration ensures that every layer-from S-400 to Akash, MRSAM, and point-defence guns-acts in concert, maximizing interception probability and minimizing gaps.India's layered air defence grid combines imported, indigenous, and co-developed technologies to create a robust, adaptable shield. Led by the S-400 and supported by a suite of missile and gun systems, the grid is designed for both deterrence and active defence, capable of countering the full spectrum of modern aerial threats.Must Watch
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