Sudarshan Chakra 'Mother Of All Air Defence Systems Combined Together': Top Military Official

Sudarshan Chakra: India's Comprehensive Air Defence System Set to Revolutionize Modern Warfare

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has described the forthcoming air defence system as functioning both as "a shield and a sword" for India's security.

New Delhi:

India's ambitious Sudarshan Chakra air defence system will emerge as the "mother of all air defence systems combined together," incorporating counter-drone, counter-UAV, and counter-hypersonic capabilities among various other advanced features, according to a senior military official on Tuesday.

During his presentation at the conference titled 'Counter UAVs & Air Defence Systems: Future of Modern Warfare' in New Delhi, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit emphasized that adversaries have studied Operation Sindoor carefully, necessitating India to maintain a strategic advantage by staying "two steps ahead" in military strategy and planning.

The conference brought together senior military leadership, defence industry representatives, and domain specialists to discuss evolving air defence challenges.

Air Marshal Dixit referenced recent conflicts including the Azerbaijan-Armenia confrontation and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting how relatively inexpensive drone technology has successfully inflicted substantial damage on costly military assets.

These conflicts have sparked an "innovation adaption cycle," and Air Marshal Dixit urged Indian industry, think-tanks, and academia to think "two steps ahead" to outmaneuver adversaries, comparing the strategic situation to "a game of chess."

He called upon the defence sector to initiate a "Think in India" approach alongside "Make in India," emphasizing domestic innovation.

Regarding Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Dixit revealed that certain intercepted drones demonstrated sophisticated capabilities, employing AI and visual navigation systems that could operate effectively even when GPS was jammed, allowing them to reach close to their intended targets.

"They are continuously improving their capabilities, which means we must advance further," he stated.

Nevertheless, Air Marshal Dixit affirmed that India's counter-drone and GPS-jamming systems performed effectively, resulting in "almost nil" damage from hostile drones.

While describing this as a "success story in anti-drone" operations, he cautioned that identical tactics cannot be expected to succeed in future engagements as adversaries adapt to India's demonstrated capabilities.

This reality underscores the importance of self-reliance or "Atmanirbharta," which provides a crucial "surprise element" in military operations.

"Like all surprises, it can only be utilized once. For future engagements, we must develop new surprise elements," he explained.

In his address, Air Marshal Dixit elaborated on India's envisioned Sudarshan Chakra air defence system, describing it as the "mother of all air defence systems combined together, along with some weapon systems."

"Though still in the ideation phase, it will incorporate counter-drone, counter-UAV, counter-hypersonic capabilities, and additional classified elements. Mission Sudarshan Chakra will feature counter-drone technology in its lowest defensive layer," he detailed.

Speaking with PTI after the event, the air marshal added, "While still in conceptual development, I can confirm it will be truly comprehensive."

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan had previously described the proposed system at a tri-service seminar in August, noting it would function as "a shield and a sword" comparable to Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air defense system, renowned for its exceptional missile defense capabilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this ten-year initiative during his Independence Day address earlier this year.

The Sudarshan Chakra project will require extensive integration of sensors, missiles, surveillance equipment, and artificial intelligence technologies, according to the CDS.

Air Marshal Dixit also highlighted warfare's economic impact and the commercialization of drone technology.

He emphasized the economic perspective, stating, "We cannot afford to go bankrupt while winning a war."

The CISC also underscored AI's significant role in drone technology development and asserted that effective counter-drone systems must necessarily incorporate "both soft kill and hard kill capabilities, without question."