[🇮🇳] India's Multi-Layer Air Defense System.

[Krishna with Flute]

Date of Event: Oct 7, 2024

Source: https://www.PKDefense.com

This thread is to discuss India's Multi-Layer air defense systems of India.

As all of you may know, India is working on multi-layer air defense system starting from killing satellite in orbit to neutralize enemy drones and artillery cells at short distance. I shall discuss all these systems one by one. This thread can be made a sticky thread to discuss all developments in this area.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

The most recent Development. This is the component of India's Air Defense system to Intercept targets at short range such as MBRL, Drones, Artillery cells Etc. This will something similar to Israel's Iron dome. Something similar is develop for navy to Intercept Sea skimming missiles etc. This can be a very important component of India's cold start doctoring. A moving unit can carry this unit with them for air defence while entering in enemy territory.

India successfully test fires two short-range surface-to-air missile in 2 days​

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Navy have achieved a significant milestone with the successful back-to-back flight tests of the VLSRSAM on September 12 and 13.​

Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile was test-fired for the second consecutive day from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Odisha coast.


Manjeet Negi

Shivani Sharma
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 13, 2024 15:58 IST
Edited By: Manisha Pandey

In Short​

• India test-fires Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile for 2nd day
• Missile intercepts high-speed, low-altitude targets
• Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile designed for various airborne threats

India on Friday successfully test-fired the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM) for the second consecutive day from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Odisha coast, a statement from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Navy have achieved a significant milestone with the successful back-to-back flight tests of the VLSRSAM on September 12 and 13. The tests mark a critical achievement in India’s defence capabilities.



In both tests, the VLSRSAM system successfully intercepted high-speed, low-altitude aerial targets simulating sea-skimming threats, which are among the most challenging threats for naval platforms. The missile showcased its precision in neutralizing aerial targets that mimic real-world sea-skimming enemy missiles.

The VLSRSAM system is designed for neutralizing various airborne threats at close ranges, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and incoming missiles. It is equipped with advanced guidance systems and cutting-edge technologies that provide enhanced agility and precision in targeting. The successful demonstration of this system further strengthens India’s air defense capabilities in maritime operations.

Senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Navy were present during the tests, with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulating the teams for their successful efforts in boosting the nation’s indigenous defense production. The VLSRSAM system is set to bolster the Indian Navy's arsenal, ensuring a robust defense mechanism against evolving aerial threats.

India successfully test fires two short-range surface-to-air missile in 2 days

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Navy have achieved a significant milestone with the successful back-to-back flight tests of the VLSRSAM on September 12 and 13.

www.indiatoday.in

 

[Krishna with Flute]

S-400 is a very capable system which India order in 5 number. 3 Systems are delivered and rest 2 could not be delivered due to Russia Ukraine war. Now Russia is saying that they will be delivered in 2025.

S 400 is a very important component of India's air defense. In terms of engaging enemy missile, it can intercept enemy missile at furtherest distance after Project Veda (Satellite and Space Interception), AD-1, Ad-2, PAD, AAD. this system is particularly very good for objects flying at long distance and low altitude like enemy planes short range missiles.

Russia expected to deliver two remaining S-400 systems by next year​

ByRezaul H Laskar
Apr 23, 2024 07:27 PM IST

The deliveries of S-400 air defence systems were affected by the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions.​

The two remaining S-400 air defence systems under a $5.4-billion deal concluded by India will be delivered by Russia by 2025 following a delay in implementing the programme, people familiar with the matter said.

The S-400 system is designed to destroy strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and hypersonic weapons and can also be used against ground installations. (Representative Image)


Under the terms of the deal inked by India and Russia for five S-400 systems in October 2018, all deliveries were to have been completed within a five-year period. However, the deliveries were affected by the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions that affected the staggered payments for the weapon systems.

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“There is a new time frame for deliveries of the remaining S-400 systems now and things are back on track again,” one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

Also read: Russia warns of direct clash with West over Ukraine military aid

The two remaining S-400 systems are expected to arrive in India by the end of next year, the people said without giving more specific details.



India had gone ahead with the S-400 deal despite a warning from the US that the contract could trigger sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). While Turkiye was slapped with secondary sanctions for buying the S-400 under the same law, the US has not taken similar action against India – a move largely attributed to the growing security and strategic convergence between New Delhi and Washington.

The Russian side has so far delivered three S-400 systems to India. Deliveries of the first system began in December 2021 and this battery was deployed to cover parts of the border with China in the northern sector and the border with Pakistan, the people said.


The two other systems have also been deployed to protect strategic regions and assets.


Also read: Russia says it has taken Bohdanivka in eastern Ukraine

The S-400 is Russia’s latest long-and medium-range surface-to-air missile defence system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to destroy strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and hypersonic weapons and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.

The people also said that Russia is expected to deliver two Talwar-class stealth frigates it is building for the Indian Navy by early next year. Under a $1-billion deal signed in 2016, Russia was initially expected to deliver the warships by mid-2022 but the project was delayed, first by the Covid-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine.


The first of the two ships, to be named Tushil, is expected to arrive in India by September and the second, to be named Tamal, is set to be delivered by January 2025, the people said.

Another two Talwar-class frigates are being built at Goa Shipyard Limited with Russian assistance in design and materials.

The people said both projects were hit by Russia’s focus on the conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions, which shut Moscow out of the SWIFT system for payments. However, both sides had worked out more effective payment systems by late last year, allowing work to go ahead on the S-400 systems and the two frigates, the people said without giving details of these mechanisms.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/russia-expected-to-deliver-two-remaining-s-400-systems-by-next-year-101713879613873.html

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Old but very informative article on India's own Desi BMD named Project Kusha. Old but very informative article.

Desi’ S-400: All about Project Kusha, India’s very own long-range air defence system​

At the heart of Project Kusha is the development of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles or LR-SAM. The project, first greenlit in 2022, was given Acceptance of Necessity last month.​

Smruti Deshpande
31 October, 2023 10:32 pm IST

Representational photo of DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi | ANI

New Delhi: India’s very own long-range air defence system with a range of up to 350 km. That’s what India’s top military research organisation — the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) — is working on.

At the heart of ‘Project Kusha’ is the development of India’s very own Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LR-SAM) that, according to reports, is comparable to Russia’s S-400 Triumf air defence system. Jointly developed with Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturers, Kusha was greenlit by the Cabinet Committee for Security in May 2022, and accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — the first step toward procurement of any military equipment and hardware — by the defence ministry last month for procuring five of its squadrons for the IAF for Rs 21,700 crore.



Speaking at a press conference he held on 3 October, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari spoke about challenges in the delivery of Russia’s S-400. While Moscow’s already delivered three systems, the delivery of two others is still pending, he said. He also listed the other “new generation weapon systems” that India planning to procure.
“Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Akash New Generation missile defence systems, Air Defence System Kusha, Ballistic Missile Systems Pralay are all the contracts we are expecting to sign sometime in the coming year,” he said at the briefing.


According to a report in the Times of India Tuesday, India aims to deploy the indigenous LR-SAM system, which is capable of detecting and destroying incoming stealth fighters, aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions at ranges up to 350 km, 2028-2029.

Here’s everything you want to know about Project Kusha, the Indian military’s very own Long Range Surface-to-Air Missiles.

Reliable area air defence’​

According to the Times of India report, the mobile LR-SAM, with its long-range surveillance and fire control radars would have different types of interceptor missiles designed to hit hostile targets at 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km ranges.


Meant to provide comprehensive air defence cover to strategic and tactical vulnerable areas, the system can take out “fighter-sized” targets at a range of up to 250 km and larger aircraft at 350 km, the report said.

It is also capable of “reliable area air defence” with a single-shot kill probability of not less than 80 percent for a single missile launch and not less than 90 percent for salvo launch, the report said quoting sources.

Although it has been compared favourably to the S400, there’s a significant difference — in a report on 16 October, the Moscow-based news agency Sputnik said that while the latter can take down long, medium, and short-range threats, Project Kusha aims at the development of only long-range air defence.

The LR-SAM system will be also made capable of interacting with an integrated command and control system (IACCS), according to the Times of India.


The IACCS is an automated air defence command and control centre that the Indian Air Force uses for controlling and monitoring air operations.

But LR-SAM isn’t the only project India is developing with Israel. India’s Kalyani Strategic Systems has already entered a joint venture with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Systems Ltd for indigenous production of MRSAM, some of which have already been procured by the IAF.

The IAF has already inducted some MRSAM.

'Desi’ S-400: All about Project Kusha, India’s very own long-range air defence system

At the heart of Project Kusha is the development of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles or LR-SAM. The project, first greenlit in 2022, was given Acceptance of Necessity last month.

theprint.in

 

[Saif]

Old but very informative article on India's own Desi BMD named Project Kusha. Old but very informative article.

Desi’ S-400: All about Project Kusha, India’s very own long-range air defence system​

At the heart of Project Kusha is the development of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles or LR-SAM. The project, first greenlit in 2022, was given Acceptance of Necessity last month.​

Smruti Deshpande
31 October, 2023 10:32 pm IST

Representational photo of DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi | ANI

New Delhi: India’s very own long-range air defence system with a range of up to 350 km. That’s what India’s top military research organisation — the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) — is working on.

At the heart of ‘Project Kusha’ is the development of India’s very own Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LR-SAM) that, according to reports, is comparable to Russia’s S-400 Triumf air defence system. Jointly developed with Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturers, Kusha was greenlit by the Cabinet Committee for Security in May 2022, and accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — the first step toward procurement of any military equipment and hardware — by the defence ministry last month for procuring five of its squadrons for the IAF for Rs 21,700 crore.



Speaking at a press conference he held on 3 October, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari spoke about challenges in the delivery of Russia’s S-400. While Moscow’s already delivered three systems, the delivery of two others is still pending, he said. He also listed the other “new generation weapon systems” that India planning to procure.
“Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Akash New Generation missile defence systems, Air Defence System Kusha, Ballistic Missile Systems Pralay are all the contracts we are expecting to sign sometime in the coming year,” he said at the briefing.


According to a report in the Times of India Tuesday, India aims to deploy the indigenous LR-SAM system, which is capable of detecting and destroying incoming stealth fighters, aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions at ranges up to 350 km, 2028-2029.

Here’s everything you want to know about Project Kusha, the Indian military’s very own Long Range Surface-to-Air Missiles.

Reliable area air defence’​

According to the Times of India report, the mobile LR-SAM, with its long-range surveillance and fire control radars would have different types of interceptor missiles designed to hit hostile targets at 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km ranges.


Meant to provide comprehensive air defence cover to strategic and tactical vulnerable areas, the system can take out “fighter-sized” targets at a range of up to 250 km and larger aircraft at 350 km, the report said.

It is also capable of “reliable area air defence” with a single-shot kill probability of not less than 80 percent for a single missile launch and not less than 90 percent for salvo launch, the report said quoting sources.

Although it has been compared favourably to the S400, there’s a significant difference — in a report on 16 October, the Moscow-based news agency Sputnik said that while the latter can take down long, medium, and short-range threats, Project Kusha aims at the development of only long-range air defence.

The LR-SAM system will be also made capable of interacting with an integrated command and control system (IACCS), according to the Times of India.


The IACCS is an automated air defence command and control centre that the Indian Air Force uses for controlling and monitoring air operations.

But LR-SAM isn’t the only project India is developing with Israel. India’s Kalyani Strategic Systems has already entered a joint venture with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Systems Ltd for indigenous production of MRSAM, some of which have already been procured by the IAF.

The IAF has already inducted some MRSAM.

'Desi’ S-400: All about Project Kusha, India’s very own long-range air defence system

At the heart of Project Kusha is the development of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles or LR-SAM. The project, first greenlit in 2022, was given Acceptance of Necessity last month.

theprint.in

Where are you going to deploy it? Pakistan or China border?

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Where are you going to deploy it? Pakistan or China border?

Both. Our attention is more towards China post 2020. So far as China is concern, they have a huge advantage so far as number is concern. We are slow in procuring and making our own planes. We need to deter China till our ORCA, MWF and AMCA arrives. This air defense systems will give us some space to develop and deploy our own fighter jets. Our Tejas Mk1 A is a good plane but not very good enough to counter each and every plane in Chinese inventory. We shall get those capabilities with arrival of MWF from 2029. We need to develop this project on priority basis to replenish our depleting fleet.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

India's Multilayer air defense ststem shall be like this.

1) Orbital interception and destruction of space object like satellite- Project Veda Satellite killer.
2) Very high altitude interception - AD1,AD2 ICBM Interception above 250 KM height.
3) High Altitude interception like IRBM -PDV, AAD upto 150 KM height.
4) Medium Altitude long rage Interception like enemy planes-S 400, 400 KM,250 KM and 150 KM range.
5) Medium altitude long range Interception Project Kusha derivatives of LRSAM: 150 KM, 250 KM, 350 KM range missiles.
6) Medium/ Long range Interception: LR SAM/ XRSAM 80 KM/150 KM Interception for short range ballistic missiles, Cruise Missile, and fighter aircraft.
7) Akash and Akash NG like system: interception of Planes, Choppers and Cruise Missiles upto a height of 20 KM and a range upto 40 KM and 70 KM.
8) VLSRSAM Short range interception of Cruise missile, Chopper and Drone Interception.
9) QRSAM interception of Choppers, subsonic cruise missiles and drones up to the height of 6 KM.
10) Laser interception at 7 KM.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

‘Sudarshan Chakra’ defence shield and indigenous jet engine push: What Modi’s I-Day speech has for defence establishment​

Ahead of Janmashtami, PM draws on the Sudarshan Chakra legend to outline a nationwide security shield and jet engine push.​

Written by Amrita Nayak Dutta
New Delhi | Updated: August 16, 2025 01:34 AM IST

5 min read

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PM Modi also made a dramatic call to action, saying that just as India built its own vaccines during COVID and created UPI for digital payments, it should now build its own jet engines for fighter aircraft. (PTI photo)
Weeks after Indian air defences successfully intercepted Pakistani missiles and drones during the hostilities that followed Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra.

It is learnt to be an advanced, multi-tiered air defence system, aimed at creating a nationwide security shield to thwart enemy attacks across domains and strengthen the country’s deterrent and offensive capabilities.

In his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi drew an analogy between the initiative and the legendary Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna, recalling how it was deployed during the Mahabharat to block the Sun’s rays and create darkness in the morning, enabling Arjun to fulfil his vow of killing Jayadratha.

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“In the next 10 years, by 2035, I want to expand, strengthen and modernise this national security shield,” he said, adding that the country will launch the Sudarshan Chakra mission. “Taking inspiration from Shri Krishna, we have chosen the path of his Sudarshan Chakra,” he said.


The reference came a day ahead of Janmashtami, celebrated across India as the birthday of Lord Krishna.

A statement issued by the government after the Prime Minister’s speech said the initiative is designed to enable rapid, precise and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy. It said all public places will be covered by the expanded nationwide security shield by 2035, ensuring comprehensive protection for the nation and demonstrating India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence.

While the exact contours of Mission Sudarshan Chakra are not yet known, it is learnt to be a comprehensive, multi-layered, networked system aimed at protecting India and its vital installations from a range of enemy attacks across domains.

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The shield is expected to offer multiple layers of protection by combining surveillance, cybersecurity, and air defence systems to detect and destroy threats, including long-range missiles, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, along the borders and at critical installations. Defence research organisations and the private sector are expected to collaborate on the project.

Modi also made a dramatic call to action, saying that just as India built its own vaccines during the Covid pandemic and created UPI for digital payments, it should now build its own jet engines for fighter aircraft. He urged the country’s scientists and youth to take up the challenge directly.

In his address, he called upon Indian innovators, young scientists, engineers, professionals and all government departments to work towards developing fighter jet engines indigenously, so that future defence technology is entirely home-grown and self-reliant.

“Should we not have our jet engines for our Made-in-India fighter jets? Just like how we made vaccines during Covid, and UPI for digital payments, we should build our own jet engines too. Our scientists and youth must take it up as a direct challenge,” he said.

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India has manufactured the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, but efforts to make aero engines indigenously have so far not succeeded. The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) first worked on developing the GTX-37 engine for the LCA. This was followed by the ambitious Kaveri engine project, sanctioned in 1989.

Nine full prototype engines and four core engines were developed, with 3,217 hours of engine testing carried out, including altitude tests and Flying Test Bed (FTB) trials. However, the engines were not found suitable for fighter aircraft. A major shortfall was recorded in the wet thrust of the engine, which generated only 70.4 kN as against the targeted 81 kN.

At present, India is in discussions with global firms to jointly develop engines that could power its advanced fighter jets in the future. For instance, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is negotiating with GE Aerospace to jointly produce the F414 engines for the LCA Mk-2 programme. It has already been agreed that the deal, first announced in 2023, would include an 80 per cent transfer of technology from the US-based company.

Apart from GE, India has held talks with other global engine manufacturers such as France’s Safran SA and the UK’s Rolls-Royce for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The final decision on which engine will power the AMCA will be taken later, once the aircraft’s key specifications are finalised. With only a handful of countries having mastered the complex technology and metallurgy required for combat jet engines, most have been reluctant to share it with others.

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Modi also used his speech to hail Operation Sindoor, saying that strategic autonomy and indigenous capabilities are essential to decisively tackling threats, making self-reliance the bedrock of national strength, dignity and the journey to a developed India by 2047.

He said India no longer accepts nuclear blackmail or threats on foreign terms, and warned that enemies would get a “befitting reply” in the future. Indigenous capabilities, including Made-in-India weapons, he said, enable the country to act decisively and independently, showing that national security cannot rely on foreign dependence.

He said Operation Sindoor stemmed from the outrage India felt over the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. The armed forces, he said, were given “a free hand to decide on strategy, objective and timing” and that Indian forces went hundreds of kilometres inside enemy territory to destroy their terrorist headquarters, something “which hasn’t been done in many decades”.

Editor's Choice

‘Sudarshan Chakra’ defence shield and indigenous jet engine push: What Modi’s I-Day speech has for defence establishment

Ahead of Janmashtami, PM draws on the Sudarshan Chakra legend to outline a nationwide security shield and jet engine push.

indianexpress.com