AIR DEFENCE
SYSTEM: INDIA
SARASIJ
MAJUMDER
In a Football Game—you have defense,
and offence(Forwards). Similarly—in kinetic war—you primarily fight with two
components: Offence, and Défense. We will be discussing India’s Air Defense
System here.
How India’s Layered Air Defense System Works is explained
Step-by-Step below:
Early
Detection & Tracking is the key of this game.
Radar systems like Swathi (Made in India), and satellites with
AWACS detect threats early. And accordingly Air Défense System is activated.
Otherwise also—system are kept in ‘ALERT’ state. And some system are equipped
with built in RADAR.
The IAF operates three Israeli Phalcon AWACS (offering
360-degree coverage with a 400 km range) and three Netra Mk1 systems,
while Pakistan has 11 AEW&C aircraft and China over 30, according to Swarajya Magazine (February 13, 2024)
A. First
Layer: MANPADS & L/70 Guns: --(INDIA)
These are Short-range, low-cost, but effective system.
MANPADS (shoulder-fired) – Cost: ₹15–30 lakh.
MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Défense Systems)
are short-range, lightweight, surface-to-air missiles designed to be fired
by individuals or small groups to engage aircraft and helicopters. They
are particularly effective against low-flying targets and are often used to
defend troops from aerial attacks. MANPADS typically have a range of 8 kilometres
and can engage targets up to altitudes of 4.5 km.
They are particularly effective against low-flying aircraft,
helicopters, and even some cruise missiles.
MANPADS utilize different guidance systems, including
infrared homing (like the FIM-92 Stinger) and beam-riding (like the RBS
70).
Some MANPADS, like the MISTRAL, are fire-and-forget, meaning
the operator only needs to target the aircraft and fire, with the missile
taking over from there.
MANPADS have a significant impact on military operations,
providing a cost-effective and readily deployable air Défense option. They
are particularly important in situations where more advanced air Défense
systems may not be available or feasible.
The Very Short Range Air
Defence System, or VSHORADS, is a latest man-portable air-Défense system
(MANPADS) developed by DRDO.
L/70
Anti-Aircraft Guns – Reliable and rapid-fire option.
The Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70, (Bofors
40 mm/70, Bofors 40/70 and the like), is a multi-purpose autocannon developed
by the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors.
It was extensively used and have won us the Kargil war. I picked up this
information while I visited a front line army post at Kargil, in the year-2016.
It is deployed for Small Drones & Low-Flying Threats.
B. Second
Layer: Akash, Akash-NG, QRSAM (Iron Dome) -- INDIA
Akash DIR & NG (Indigenous) – Cost: ₹25–35 crore/unit
“Akash” is a medium-range[ mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system
developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO). The Army and
the Air Force variants of the missile system are
produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
and Bharat
Electronics Limited (BEL). Surveillance and fire control radar, Tactical Command and Control Center and missile
launcher are developed by BEL, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen
& Toubro. The Akash missile system can target aircraft up to
45 km away. It has the capability to neutralise aerial targets like
Fighter Jets, Cruise Missiles And Air-To-Surface Missiles. It is in
operational service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
It can handle Swarm Drones also.
100% kill-rate is reported in current conflict with Pakistan.
These are India’s workhorse –and are in export-ready state.
C. Third Layer: Barak-8 (INDIA—ISRAEL), MR-SAM (INDIA-ISRAEL)
Developed
jointly by India's Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Barak-8 missile system is an all-weather
Long-Range Surface-To-Air Missile (LR-SAM). Barak literally means 'Lightning'
in Hebrew. It was christened by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The
Barak-8 is designed to defend against any type of airborne threat, including
Aircraft, Helicopters, Anti-Ship Missiles, UAVS, Ballistic Missiles, Cruise
Missiles, And Combat Jets. The Barak-8 operates alongside other advanced
systems like the S-400 and Akash missiles. It has a range of 150 km.
The
Barak-8 system boasts both land and naval variants, ensuring comprehensive
protection for the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy. Since 'Operation Sindoor' is an integrated mission of the tri-services, Barak-8 has
become an invaluable defence system for India.
Its
advanced radar, command and control, and mobile launcher systems enable rapid
detection and interception of high-speed threats, even at long ranges and
varying altitudes.
The
MRSAM (Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile) is a medium-range air Défense
system developed jointly by India's DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI). It is a mobile, vertically launched, supersonic missile designed to
neutralize various aerial threats, including Aircraft, Helicopters, Cruise
Missiles, And Other Guided Weapons. It is a modification on BARAK—8. The
MR--SAM system is a critical component of India's layered air Défense,
providing protection for both ground assets and warships.
They have expanding
deployment across all critical zones. They can target up to 70 km.
D. 4th & Final Layer: S-400 (RUSSIA)
Strategic, most high-value defence system as on day India
deployed. Cost: ₹1,200 crore per battery.
The S-400 air defense system is one of the world’s most
advanced long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, developed by Russia’s
Almaz Central Design Bureau. It is named after Lord Vishnu's 'Sudarshan Chakra'
because of its swift and precision working on Target...
- Speed: 17,000
km/h (approximately Mach 14)
- Range: Min.120-
Max. 600 km
- Features: Prominent
for its advanced radars, long-range missiles, high mobility, adaptability,
flexibility, and networking capabilities.
·
The S-400 can operate across a wide altitude
range, from as low as 10m up to 30 km.
·
The S-400 can operate across a wide altitude
range, from as low as 10m up to 30 km.
It is only used when absolutely necessary. In this conflict,
India has used once only—Probably to take down ICBM ‘SHAHEEN’, which can carry
Nuclear Warheads. And it was successful. Shaheen was intercepted near SIRSA --But
Pakistan didn’t couple NWH to that.
And after that India decided to take down 11 AIR BASES of
Pakistan. We have achieved a sum-total of 20% destruction, and near in-operability
of those bases in short term.
It is Capable of neutralizing Stealth Aircraft, Ballistic
Missiles.
Deployed in Delhi, Punjab & Northeast.
Why 100%
Success So Far?
Layered response: Each threat is matched with a
cost-effective Interceptor/Destroying System.
Indigenized technology dominance: reduces load on S-400,
allowing continuous protection
Kinetic + electronic warfare combination working in tandem
ensures zero penetration.
Export Ready
HARDWARE:
Akash, QRSAM, and Swathi radars are already in demand
(Vietnam, Philippines, Armenia)
After the Pakistan conflict, global orders are expected to
surge. Our Made in India product is low cost, yet 100% effective, and Battle
tested.
Disclaimer: --This BLOG is published for spreading awareness
against mis-information campaign by persons/groups with vested interest.
Sources:--
I collected informations from following sources listed. But mostly they are available
in public domain also, when I tried to cross-check..
NEWSPAPERS:--HT,
IE, MINT.
JOURNALS,MAGAZINES:-
Swarajya Magazine
Defence and Security Alert -
Indian Air Force
Journal -
Indian Army Journal -
Indian Defence Technol
IMAGES: GOOGLE.
FROM A VERY RELIABLE SOURCE, I CAME TO KNOW THA--Many Pakistani Drones were neutralised by an Airforce Garud Commando sniper unit. Seriously this level of embarrassment Pakistan had in Operation Sindoor.
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