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The Indian Air Defence System is a multi-layered, technologically advanced network of missile systems, radars, and surveillance platforms designed to protect India's airspace against a variety of air threats.  India has swiftly improved its aerial shield through a smart combination of indigenous systems and foreign procurements, and it now ranks among the world's top five air forces.

The Indian Air Defence System consists of long-range interceptors, such as the S-400, medium-range systems, such as the Akash and Barak-8, and very short-range defences, such as the VSHORAD systems, which provide an integrated response to air and missile threats.

What is the Indian Air Defence System?

India has recently emerged as one of the world's leading aviation powers, placing it in the top five. There are around 900 combat-ready fighter aeroplanes among the 1,750 that make up the Indian Air Force (IAF). 

Their recent large purchases, such as the acquisition of 26 Rafale fighter jets for $7.4 billion, will bolster our air might.

The Indian government has a plethora of cutting-edge defence equipment at its disposal. With its S-400 Triumph system, which can reach targets up to 400 kilometres away, the tri-nation is already well-equipped. 

It has also created its own long-range missile, the Akash-NG, which can hit targets 70 to 80 kilometres away. They developed the Barak 8 system in collaboration with Israel; it is capable of withstanding medium- to long-range attacks.

They intend to acquire 3,000 missiles and 500 launchers as part of the VSHORAD system development for use against threats that are closer to home. When it comes to hypersonic missile technology, India is likewise moving quickly. 

An Indian missile with a maximum range of 1,500 km and a speed greater than Mach 5 has been successfully tested.
The Indian Air Defence System is a strategic combination of missile batteries, radar units, early warning systems, and command and control centres that all work together under the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) to provide real-time surveillance, detection, interception, and neutralisation of aerial threats. The Indian Air Defence System comprises:

• Short-range dangers include low-flying aircraft, UAVs, and drones.
• Medium-range air strikes (fighter planes, helicopters)
• Long-range and ballistic missile threats.

India offers a comprehensive list of India Air Defence System alternatives for a multi-layered air defence system, with each tier designed to block threats at varying altitudes and ranges, making the Indian Air Defence System resistant to saturation strikes or surprise invasions.

How Many Air Defence Systems Does India Have?

India has a varied and multi-layered air defence network that includes over 20 active air defence systems of varying ranges—long, medium, short, and very short. India now operates over:

• 25 Pechora Squadrons

• Multiple Akash Squadrons (IAF + Army)

• Barak has eight units throughout services.

• At least one active SPYDER squadron, with more on the way.

• Five S-400 regiments (supply is underway)
• Various heritage platforms, including Strela-10, Osa, and Shilka

Furthermore, India is venturing into hypersonic terrain with testing of Mach 5+ missile systems with ranges exceeding 1,500 km, signalling a possible move towards hypersonic air defence capabilities.

India’s Air Defence Systems – Complete Overview

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System Name	Type	Range	Developed By / Origin	Key Features / Role
Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)	Exo-atmospheric Ballistic Missile Interceptor (SAM)	300–2,000 km	DRDO, India	Intercepts missiles outside atmosphere; Radar tracks 200 targets; Speed > Mach 5; LRTR radar
Advanced Air Defence (AAD)	Endo-atmospheric Ballistic Missile Interceptor (SAM)	Up to 200 km	DRDO, India	Intercepts inside atmosphere; Uses Swordfish radar; Speed: Mach 4.5; Proximity-fused warhead
Akash Missile System	Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile	Up to 25 km	DRDO & Bharat Electronics Ltd., India	Engages aircraft, helicopters, drones, subsonic cruise missiles; Deployed in Army & Air Force
Spyder	Short/Medium-range SAM	15–35 km	Israel	Fast-reaction; Engages aircraft, UAVs, precision-guided munitions
2K12 Kub (Kvadrat)	Mobile Medium-range SAM	Up to 25 km	Soviet Union (NIIP & Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant)	Semi-active radar; Engages aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles; Uses 1S91 “Straight Flush” radar
Barak-8 (LR-SAM)	Long-range SAM	70–100 km	DRDO & Israel Aerospace Industries	Naval/land air defence; Engages aircraft, missiles, UAVs
QRSAM	Short-range SAM	25–30 km	DRDO, India	Quick deployment; Effective against low-flying aerial threats in forward zones
S-400 Triumph	Advanced Long-range SAM System	Up to 400 km	Russia (Almaz-Antey)	Engages aircraft, UAVs, cruise/ballistic missiles; Multi-radar tracking (up to 80 targets); Multiple missile types
S-125 Pechora	Short/Medium-range SAM	Up to 35 km	Soviet Union (NPO Almaz)	Dual-stage missiles (V-600/V-601); Proximity fuse; Targets aircraft & UAVs
9K33 Osa-AK	Short-range Mobile SAM	Up to 15 km	Soviet Union	On-board radar & guidance (1S51M3 “Romb”); Fast response; Targets aircraft, cruise missiles
S-200 Angara (Retired)	Long-range High-Altitude SAM	Up to 150 km	Soviet Union	Targets high-altitude aircraft; Radar-guided; Speed: Mach 4–5; Fragmentation warhead
9K35 Strela-10	VSHORAD System	Up to 5 km	Soviet Union	Infrared homing; Tracked vehicle; Fast engagement (20–25 sec); Targets low-flying aircraft
2K22 Tunguska	Self-propelled Short-range Air Defence	8 km (missile), 3.5 km (gun)	Soviet Union	Combines missiles (9M311) + twin 30mm autocannons; Radar + IR; Rapid 5–10 sec reaction
ZSU-23-4 Shilka	Mobile Anti-Aircraft Gun	Up to 2.5 km (effective)	Soviet Union	Four 23mm autocannons; Integrated radar; Engages low-altitude aircraft; Tracked chassis
ZU-23-2	Towed/Self-propelled Light Anti-Air Gun	Up to 2.5 km (effective)	Soviet Union	Twin 23mm barrels; High rate of fire (~1000 rpm/barrel); Short-range point defence
Bofors 40 mm Gun	Anti-Air & Anti-Surface Gun	Up to 12 km	Sweden (Bofors Defence)	Dual-purpose; Fully automatic loading; High reliability; Used on ships and land platforms
KPV Heavy Machine Gun	Heavy Machine Gun	Up to 2 km	Soviet Union (Tula Arms Plant)	14.5×114 mm; Anti-air & anti-vehicle; Mounted on turrets/vehicles; High fire rate (~600–700 rpm)

Akash Air Defence System: Game-Changer for India

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Feature	Details
Type	Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)
Developed By	DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
Manufactured By	Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) & Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)
Target Range	Up to 45 km
Altitude Engagement	4–25 km
Targets	Fighter jets, cruise missiles, UAVs, air-to-surface missiles
Radar System	Rajendra 3D phased array radar
Radar Capabilities	Tracks 64 targets; Guides 12 missiles simultaneously

Key Strengths of Akash

Advanced Guidance and Variants

Variant	Key Features
Akash-1S	Range: 18–30 km Hybrid guidance Tested in 2019 & 2020 against drones
Akash-NG	Range: Over 70 km Advanced ECCM for jamming resistance Faster reaction

Guidance System:

• Mid-course: Command guidance
  
  
• Terminal phase: Active seeker for precision
  
  

Effectiveness Against Pakistani Threats

Pakistani Assets	Countered By Akash
F-16s, JF-17s, Mirage jets	60 kg warhead + proximity fuse destroy them at 30–45 km
Bayraktar TB2, CH-4, Wing Loong II drones	Akash radar detects and neutralizes swarms before missile launch

• 2023 Drill Highlight: 4 UAVs shot down simultaneously at 25 km
  
  
• Swarms/Coordinated Attacks: Proven capability in anti-drone warfare
  
  

Mobility & Integration

Feature	Benefit
Wheeled or tracked vehicles	Rapid redeployment across terrains
Integrates with	S-400, Barak-8, and Zen anti-drone systems
Area Protection	LoC, IB, and infrastructure in Punjab & Jammu
Strategic Use	Counters Pakistan’s rising drone activity near sensitive borders

Production & Export Success

Area	Details
Production (2016)	50–60 missiles per month by BDL
Major Export Deal	$720 million deal with Armenia for 15 systems
Import Replacement	Saved ₹34,500 crore in foreign exchange
Boost to Self-Reliance	Enhances domestic defence production under “Make in India”

Why Akash is a Game-Changer

Counter to Proven Drone Threats:

• TB2s, CH-4s, Wing Loong II, Shahpar II used in real conflicts (Nagorno-Karabakh, Yemen)
  
  

Technological Advantage:

• Slow & less stealthy drones are easily intercepted by Akash
  
  

Layered Defence:

• Complements other systems to form a multi-layer air defence shield
  
  

Self-reliance & Strategic Edge:

• Indigenous production, export viability, and field-proven performance

What is the S-400 Advanced Air Defence System?

• Official Name: S-400 Triumf (NATO Reporting Name: SA-21 Growler)
  
  
• Indian Designation: S-400 Sudarshan Chakra
  
  
• Developed By: Almaz-Antey (Russia)
  
  
• Role: Long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system
  
  
• Capable of intercepting: Aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles
  
  
• Considered one of the most advanced and versatile air defence systems in the world
  
  

Key Features and Capabilities

Detection & Tracking

Capability	Details
Max Detection Range	600 km
Tracking Capacity	Up to 300 targets simultaneously
Simultaneous Engagements	36 targets, guiding 72–160 missiles at once
Radar Type	Phased-array, panoramic 360° coverage
Stealth Detection	Yes, effective against stealth aircraft

Missile Types & Ranges

Missile Type	Max Range	Guidance	Max Altitude Coverage
40N6E	400 km	Active/Semi-active radar	30–35 km
48N6DM/E3	250 km	Semi-active radar	27 km
9M96E2	120 km	Active radar	30 km
9M96E	40 km	Active radar	20 km

• All missiles are capable of intercepting high-speed, manoeuvring, and ballistic threats
  
  

Engagement Envelope

Feature	Details
Max Target Speed	Mach 14 (approx. 17,000 km/h)
Altitude Range	Up to 30–35 km
System Response	9–10 seconds

Mobility & Deployment

Feature	Details
Mobility	Fully mobile, rapid redeployment
Setup Time (from March)	5 minutes
Setup Time (from Standby)	35 seconds
Deployment Structure	Each squadron has multiple launchers, radars, and command vehicles
Integration	Can be embedded in networked, layered defence systems

Cost & Procurement

Detail	Value
Cost per Battalion	~$200 million
Indian Deal	5 squadrons for ₹35,000 crore (~$5.5 billion)
Country of Origin	Russia

Operational Role and Strategic Impact

• Layered Defence: Multiple missile types create multi-tiered protection across various ranges and altitudes.
  
  
• Resilience Against Jamming: Built with advanced electronic warfare resistance.
  
  
• Tactical Deterrence: Pakistan has relocated F-16s to avoid entering S-400’s strike envelope.
  
  
• Global Superiority: Often considered superior to Western systems like THAAD in terms of deployment readiness and versatility.

Importance of the Indian Air Defence System

• The Indian Air Defence System is critical in protecting India's airspace and ensuring national security. 
• The Air Defence System defends key assets, military sites, and civilian infrastructure against aerial threats, such as aircraft, missiles, and UAVs, using short-, medium-, and long-range missile systems, radars, and airborne defence platforms.
• India can defend against a wide range of threats, including enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drone incursions. 
• Advanced system integration, such as the S-400, Akash, and Barak-8, along with DRDO-developed indigenous technology, has improved India's ability to respond effectively to any air-based threats, ensuring air superiority and strategic defence.