India Launches Sudarshan Chakra Mission for National Defence Shield

Sudarshan Chakra Defence System : Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Sudarshan Chakra Mission on Independence Day. The project will create a multi-layered defence system to secure India’s critical locations.

Mission Objective
The Sudarshan Chakra Mission will protect strategic, civilian, and religious sites from aerial attacks. The system will detect, intercept, and destroy enemy missiles, drones, and aircraft. It will also carry strike-back capability.

Development Plan
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will design and develop the system using indigenous technology. The government targets full operational status by 2035. The project will combine current and upcoming defence platforms.

The mission will integrate the existing S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence units, Project Kusha, and the Akash Prime missile system. These systems will work together for layered protection.

Current Defence Capability
India already operates three squadrons of the S-400 system. Two more squadrons will arrive by 2026. The S-400 can track and target threats up to 400 km away. It intercepted Pakistani missiles and drones in May this year.

Retaliation Feature
Unlike purely defensive systems, the Sudarshan Chakra Mission will carry retaliatory options. The government aims to deter attacks by ensuring the system can also strike back.
The mission will create a national aerial defence shield similar to Israel’s Iron Dome. India plans to position these systems to cover key population centres, military bases, and critical infrastructure.

Future Outlook
The DRDO will conduct phased trials before large-scale deployment. The government expects collaboration between the armed forces and domestic defence industries.

The Sudarshan Chakra Mission marks a major step towards self-reliance in defence technology. It will expand India’s ability to defend against and respond to aerial threats.