logo
How India foiled Pak's attack, turned its missiles, drones into duds

How India foiled Pak's attack, turned its missiles, drones into duds

India Today08-05-2025

Rattled by India's "focused, measured, and non-escalatory" operation Sindoor on Wednesday (May 7), a desperate Pakistan attempted to strike multiple military targets across Northern and Western India on the intervening nights of May 7 and 8. But, the Pakistani misadventure, that targeted at least 15 Indian military sites, was short-lived. The Pakistani swarm of drones and missiles fell like dead flies. Their shattered remains are now strewn across Indian soil, from Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir to Bhuj in the Rann of Kutch.advertisementThe Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that the Pakistani drones and missiles were quickly engaged and neutralised by India's Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.What is this shield that helped India fend off an attack spread across 1,800 km of aerial distance of Indian territory? What are India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems that managed to fend off such a major attack from Pakistan?WHAT AND HOW OF INDIA'S INTEGRATED COUNTER-UAS SYSTEM GRID
Firstly, Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) are comprehensive defence mechanisms designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralise unauthorised drones.These systems employ a combination of technologies, including radar, radio frequency sensors, optical cameras, and acoustic detectors, to monitor airspace for potential threats.When a threat is identified, a C-UAS platform can deploy various countermeasures. They include signal jamming, GPS spoofing, or kinetic interceptors, to mitigate the risk posed by hostile unmanned aerial systems, according to Dedrone, a US-based company specialising in counter-drone and airspace security technologies.advertisementHowever, India's air defence is challenging and particularly complex due to its vast size, over 3.2 million square kilometres. Not every part of the country is equally vulnerable, but maintaining constant surveillance and readiness across such a large geography is daunting. This is where such grids come into play.So, in order to destroy such unidentified hostile unmanned aerial interceptions simultaneously, India has a network of such systems in place, called the Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Grid.The grid is a sophisticated network of such systems designed to detect, track, and neutralise unauthorised drones and missiles. It factors in the incoming speeds and sizes of the incoming hostile drones and missiles. In turn, based on that assessment, it deploys an appropriate weapon, such as a missile from its arsenal, to neutralise it.Though India has several such systems in the grid, a system uses its own unique variants. That is because different systems don't talk to (communicate with) one another. Like Apple products, they too form an ecosystem.Having said that, India's air defence systems are progressively becoming more interconnected, but significant challenges remain in achieving full integration.That's because India's air defence structure consists of a combination of indigenous and imported systems. Those imported are from various countries, like Russia, the US, Israel, and France. Some components are from the Soviet era too. Each system has its own hardware and software, which is a hindrance to holistic integration.advertisementThe Indian air defence grid's successful neutralisation of incoming Pakistani missiles underscores the extent of its deployment across Indian territory to safeguard critical assets, including airbases, marking what appears to be a successful real-world test of the system.WHAT ARE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS USED BY INDIA?India's unsung heroes, its air defence systems, are individual set-ups to deal with threats that come in many forms, including aircraft, drones, and missiles, requiring a multi-layered defence strategy to ensure comprehensive protection on its territory.At the forefront of India's air defence is the S-400 system, a long-range missile defence system imported from Russia. With a range of up to 450 km, the S-400 forms the outermost layer of India's defence, capable of intercepting advanced threats before they can reach critical targets.India has received three S-400 Triumf air defence system squadrons from Russia, with two more squadrons expected by early 2026, delayed from an initial 2025 timeline due to the war in Ukraine. In total, India ordered five squadrons under a $5.43 billion deal signed in 2018.
India's S-400 system can track aerial threats from as far as 600 kilometres and destroy them at ranges of up to 400 kilometres.
advertisementFor medium-range interception, India relies on the MR-SAM (Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile) and Barak 8 systems, developed jointly by India's DRDO and Israel's IAI. These systems cover a range of 70 to 150 km and are deployed on both land and naval platforms.Complementing this is the Akash system, an indigenous short-to-medium-range defence system that covers distances of 30 to 50 km.At the short-range level, the Spyder system, an Israeli-made defence solution with a range of 8–10 km, adds another layer of protection, particularly for sensitive areas. India also utilises legacy systems like the Soviet-era Pechora and OSA-AK, though these are being phased out due to their obsolescence.For very close-in threats, India has VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defense) systems, such as shoulder-fired missiles and gun-based platforms like the Shilka and Tunguska.Together, these systems form a layered, concentric air defence network, designed not just for interception but also for deterrence and kill.Tune InMust Watch

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Since 1960, poll rolls being shared with parties: CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Since 1960, poll rolls being shared with parties: CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Time of India

time29 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Since 1960, poll rolls being shared with parties: CEC Gyanesh Kumar

NEW DELHI: In a first but indirect rejoinder to Rahul Gandhi's allegations of enrolment of fake voters for Maharashtra polls, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar underscored the statutory sharing of electoral rolls with all recognised political parties year after year since 1960, with a provision for them to make claims, objections and appeals. Delivering the inaugural address at the International Conference on Electoral Integrity (IDEA) in Stockholm on Tuesday, Kumar described the annual roll revision exercise in India as "the world's most rigorous and transparent", adding that it reinforced the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process. He noted that "this robust mechanism plays a vital role in upholding electoral credibility across the country, year after year". Rahul recently reiterated his charge that BJP owed its landslide win in Maharashtra last year to an unusual surge in number of voters after Lok Sabha polls. Officials in Election Commission, speaking anonymously, had dismissed the charge, saying addition of votes in Maharashtra was less than the increase in number of voters for Telangana and Jharkhand polls which were won by Congress and its allies. Congress kept up its protest, while also emphasising that EC officials had not spoken "on record". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo Apprising the participants - representing election management bodies (EMBs) of around 50 countries - about the massive scale of Indian elections conducted under the watch of political parties, candidates, observers and the media, the CEC said the poll panel, with over 20 million personnel, including polling staff, police forces and observers, "becomes the world's largest organisation, surpassing the combined workforce of several national govts and major global corporations and ensures that India's nearly one billion electors are freely able to exercise their franchise". Kumar traced the evolution of Indian elections over the decades, noting how the system has adapted to increasing complexity while staying rooted in constitutional values. "From 173 million electors in 1951-52 to 979 million in 2024, and from just 0.2 million polling stations in the early years to over 1.05 million today, India's electoral journey has demonstrated both institutional foresight and unmatched scale," he said. Kumar added that 743 political parties and 20,271 candidates contested elections across the country using 6.2 million EVMs. Reflecting on the inclusive design of Indian elections, Kumar said the electoral process serves first-time voters, senior citizens aged 85+, persons with special abilities, third-gender electors, and voters in the most inaccessible regions with equal care and commitment. From polling booths with a single elector to highest altitude stations like Tashigang in Himachal Pradesh, India's commitment to leaving no voter behind is reiterated as a constitutional principle rather than a logistical challenge, he said.

Asked Modi to stop Hasina from speaking, he said not possible due to social media: Yunus
Asked Modi to stop Hasina from speaking, he said not possible due to social media: Yunus

Time of India

time35 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Asked Modi to stop Hasina from speaking, he said not possible due to social media: Yunus

LONDON: Chief adviser to the interim Bangladesh govt, Mohammad Yunus , told delegates at Chatham House Wednesday he had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina from 'speaking' after she fled to India but Modi replied that it was not possible because of social media. 'I said to PM Modi: 'You want to host her? I can't force you to abandon that policy, but please help us in making sure she doesn't speak to Bangladeshi people the way she is doing as the whole of Bangladesh gets very angry.' India is not doing what I asked. Modi's answer was: 'It is social media, we can't control it.' What can you say? It's an explosive situation. You can't just walk away by saying it's social media,' Yunus said. 'We want to build the best relationship with India – but somehow things go wrong all the time because of all fake news coming from the Indian press,' he said. 'Some people say it has connections with policy makers at the top. This is what makes Bangladesh very jittery. A whole barrage of things keep happening in cyber space.' Yunus said Awami League didn't need to be part of the 2026 elections as 'it isn't a political party'. He pledged to hold 'the most beautiful election ever'. 'If they can kill young people on the street, make people disappear, steal money, would you call them a political party? None of them has ever expressed remorse. For the safety of politics of this country, the nation has decided that, for time being, the activities of Awami League will be suspended until the trial is over,' he said, referring to the trial of perpetrators of violence under the Hasina regime. 'We have not banned Awami League. ' Protests marked Yunus' visit to Chatham House. 'How can he ban the Awami League? He is not even elected. He has no authority,' said one of the Bangladeshi diaspora protesters outside, chanting, 'Yunus terrorist'. One held a placard calling for the release of former Iskcon monk Chinmoy Prabhu.

Crippled by Op Sindoor strikes, Pak eyeing Germany for air defence upgrades
Crippled by Op Sindoor strikes, Pak eyeing Germany for air defence upgrades

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

Crippled by Op Sindoor strikes, Pak eyeing Germany for air defence upgrades

Rattled by the devastating impact of BrahMos missile strikes during India's Operation Sindoor, Pakistan is now exploring the procurement of a new air defence system to counter future to sources, Islamabad is actively considering the purchase of the IRIS-T SLM air defence system from Germany in a bid to strengthen its aerial shield against India's supersonic cruise missiles, particularly the move comes after Pakistan's existing Chinese-origin air defence systems, including the HQ-9 and HQ-16, failed to detect or intercept Indian missile attacks during the operation. In contrast, the IRIS-T SLM system has demonstrated significant effectiveness in recent combat situations. In Ukraine, where several units were redirected from Egypt due to the ongoing war, the German-made system has reportedly shot down over 60 aerial targets since its deployment last it was said to have successfully intercepted Russian Oniks missiles, which are similar in profile to India's by Diehl Defence, the IRIS-T SLM is known for its modular and compact architecture. Each unit, estimated to cost around USD 200 million, includes radar, an operations centre, and launchers, all mounted on a 20-foot interest in the system highlights its urgent push to rebuild and upgrade its air defence network, particularly after key air bases were damaged by Indian missiles during Operation grappling with a severe economic crisis, Pakistan has raised its defence budget by 18 per cent this year while simultaneously scrapping domestic development projects valued at 1,000 billion Pakistani the past month, the country has secured financial assistance totalling USD 1.8 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to address its fiscal Germany's Diehl Defence, the maker of the IRIS-T SLM, is also involved in a major Indian defence initiative. The company is collaborating with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems on Project 75I, a Rs 70,000 crore programme to build six submarines for the Indian Indian-German collaboration also includes the development of the Interactive Defence and Attack System (IDAS), which will be integrated into the India's Reliance Defence has announced a partnership to manufacture Vulcano 155mm precision-guided artillery shells domestically. The initiative is expected to generate revenues of approximately Rs 10,000 crore, with over 50 per cent of the components to be produced indigenously.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store