Air Defence Systems

Source: TOI

Context: In the early hours of May 9, 2025, Pakistan launched a coordinated drone and missile swarm targeting Indian military bases.

• India successfully intercepted the attack using its air defence shield, including S-400 Triumf, Akash, and Barak-8 MRSAM, in what was part of its integrated response under Operation Sindoor.

About Air Defence Systems:

• What is an Air Defence System? An Air Defence System refers to a networked combination of sensors, weapons, and command systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats such as: Missiles (ballistic/cruise) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones) Manned aircraft and helicopters Components of Air Defence: Surveillance Radars – Detect incoming threats. Command & Control Centres – Prioritise and assign response. Interceptor Weapons – Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), guns, or loitering munitions. Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems – Jam or spoof drones. India’s Multi-Layered Air Defence Framework:

• An Air Defence System refers to a networked combination of sensors, weapons, and command systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats such as: Missiles (ballistic/cruise) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones) Manned aircraft and helicopters

• Missiles (ballistic/cruise)

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones)

• Manned aircraft and helicopters

• Components of Air Defence: Surveillance Radars – Detect incoming threats. Command & Control Centres – Prioritise and assign response. Interceptor Weapons – Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), guns, or loitering munitions. Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems – Jam or spoof drones.

• Surveillance Radars – Detect incoming threats.

• Command & Control Centres – Prioritise and assign response.

• Interceptor Weapons – Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), guns, or loitering munitions.

• Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems – Jam or spoof drones.

• India’s Multi-Layered Air Defence Framework:

System | Type & Origin | Range | Role in Operation

S-400 Triumf | Long-range Surface-to-Air (Russia) | Up to 400 km | Intercepted long-range missiles and aircraft

Barak-8 MRSAM | Medium-range SAM (India-Israel) | ~70-100 km | Neutralized fast-moving drones and cruise missiles

Akash | Indigenous SAM (India) | Up to 25-30 km | Countered low-altitude aerial threats

S-125 Pechora | Legacy SAM system (Russian origin) | Short-range (35 km) | Supplemented older sectoral defences

Integrated Counter-UAS Grid | Multi-layered defence using jamming, spoofing, and guns | Varies | Intercepted UAVs and kamikaze drones across northern airspace