Table of Contents
Synopsis
On Independence Day 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, India’s ambitious plan to build an indigenous multi-layered missile defense system. Inspired by Lord Krishna’s legendary weapon, the project aims to safeguard the nation against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, and rocket artillery through a tiered shield of long, medium, and short-range interceptors. Powered by artificial intelligence and developed under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the system will provide real-time threat assessment and autonomous defense responses.
Expected to be fully operational by 2035, the Sudarshan Chakra marks India’s transition from a buyer to a builder of defense technology, strengthening its strategic autonomy while opening avenues for global defense partnerships. By merging mythology with modern science, this initiative is both a shield of security and a symbol of national pride.
"By 2035, every place of national, religious significance, will be given a 'Suraksha Kavach' with emerging technology. India will launch mission 'Sudarshan Chakra'- powerful weapon system will neutralize enemies' attacks, and will also hit back at the enemy," says #PMModi. pic.twitter.com/dfRsq7FW2L
— WION (@WIONews) August 15, 2025
Introduction
As India celebrated Independence Day 2025, the nation witnessed a historic announcement that merged mythology with modern defense strategy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Mission Sudarshan Chakra, India’s ambitious plan to develop its own multi-layered missile defense system. Inspired by Lord Krishna’s legendary celestial weapon, this initiative symbolizes not only advanced defense capability but also India’s march toward self-reliance and strategic autonomy.
What Is Sudarshan Chakra?
The Sudarshan Chakra project is envisioned as India’s answer to Israel’s Iron Dome. However, unlike a mere imitation, India’s system will be multi-layered, AI-driven, and tailored to the country’s unique threat environment. It will be designed to detect, track, and destroy incoming dangers ranging from ballistic and cruise missiles to drones and rocket artillery, ensuring comprehensive protection across varied battle scenarios. As per PIB
A layered federation of Sensors, Shooters, and command networks drawn from multiple countries and indigenous programmes, all stitched together to cover different threat across a vast country land.
Multi-layered defense system, Raksha Kavach.
— Defence Decode® (@DefenceDecode) April 30, 2025
[Most elements of the system are operational.] pic.twitter.com/Ka7nPirZ9y
Layers of Protection
The architecture of the Sudarshan Chakra will follow a tiered defense model. Long-range interceptors will neutralize threats even before they enter Indian airspace, medium-range systems will safeguard regional security and border zones, while short-range rapid response units will defend urban centers, military installations, and critical infrastructure. This layered system guarantees multiple interception points, maximizing response time and minimizing potential damage.
Integrated Missile Defense System (IADWS) major component of Mission Sudarshan Chakra
The IADWS integrates radar, missile launchers, and command systems into a mobile platform capable of detecting and intercepting threats within seconds. It’s designed for quick deployment, especially in border zones and high-value strategic locations. The system reportedly includes indigenous missile interceptors and automated target tracking, showcasing DRDO’s growing self-reliance.
- The IADWS is a sophisticated integrated platform that combines missile-based and directed-energy technologies for layered defense.
- It operates across short to medium ranges, providing rapid response and high-precision engagement. The system includes:
- Quick Reaction Surface to air missile (QRSAM) : for medium-range threats
- Advanced very short range air defence system (VSHORADS) missile for Close-range, low altitude threats.
- High-power laser-Based directed energy weapon (DEW) for cost effective, precision strikes against various aerial targets.
(A) Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM)-
It is mobile which means it can be moved from one place to another easily as it mounted on the vehicle. It is used in short to medium range surface to air missile system. The QRSAM enhance India`s air defense by providing quick reaction time (under 6 sec.) countering against fast moving objective threats.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | 5 km – 30 km |
| Altitude | Up to 6–10 km |
| Speed | Up to Mach 4.7 |
| Guidance System | Multi-course inertial navigation with two-way data link & active radar seeker for terminal guidance |
| Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP) | ~80% perception and kill ratio |
(B) Advanced Very Short-Range Air Defense system (VSHORADS): Man-Portable or Vehicle-mounted air defense system majorly build for very short-range engagements. It is a miniatured, Infrared-homing missile designed for portability and rapid developments.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Range | 250 meters – 6 km |
| Guidance | Infrared homing (heat seeking) with advanced imaging seekers |
| Deployment | Ground-based portable launchers or integrated into vehicles |
(c) High-Power Leser- Based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW): Power upto 30KW with the range effective against targets at several kilometres, depending on power and atmospheric conditions.
Capabilities: Instant engagement with no projectile travel time; can burn through electronic, sensors, or structures. It is integration is mounted on vehicle for mobility, as a part of DRDO`s “Sahstra Shakti” Program. This laser DEW marks India`s entry into future war weaponry offering unlimited ammunition as long as power is available.
Mission Sudarshan Chakra Future Developments
The IADWS test was limited to its three components which were mainly focused on the Short to medium range threats. It does not include the long-range radars, satellites and or other interceptors as of now.
Developments and orbital test of the early-warning satellites system for real-time launch detection. Over the period of time more than 100s of military satellites will be capturing moments in next 15 years.
It does not cover high-altitude or long range ballistic/hypersonic intercepts which is again a important question in the modern-day warfare.
What are the pending pillars; To get it fully operational testing and deployment of BMD phase-1 (for 2000 km range threats) and Phase -2 (for 5000 km range nuclear-capable missiles)
Hypersonic threat testing is particularly absent as India faces challenges from China`s DF-17 Hypersonic missile. Ground radars need expanded deployment and integration tests for border-wide coverage.
India strengthens its skies!
— Defence Production India (@DefProdnIndia) August 27, 2025
DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS).#IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (#QRSAM), Advanced Very Short… pic.twitter.com/xASkExzpvN
Author`s Viewpoint
In my opinion Mission Sudarshan Chakra is not just a technological leap, but a statement of India’s evolving defense philosophy. India is no longer content with being a passive recipient of foreign technologies. The initiative marks a sovereign assertion: “Security Made in India, for India.”
While ambitious, it raises critical questions about feasibility, funding, and timelines. The mission is both a leap of confidence and a test of endurance for India’s defense ecosystem.
Understanding and Learning form the recent events
Many media reports quickly drew a parallel opinion with Israel’s Iron Dome, largely because it is the most well-known missile defense system in the world. The Iron Dome has become a symbol of modern defense technology, making it an easy reference point for headlines. However, the comparison doesn’t fully capture India’s vision.
For India, building such a defense architecture will not only demand cutting-edge technological advancements but also the ability to overcome substantial financial constraints.
Having said that, During the recent clash between Israel-Iran war back in June, the US used more than 25% of its total Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missiles to back Israel in the war. Given that up to 80 interceptor missiles were used, each cost between $12-15 million, the total cost was roughly $1 billion to protect a small country like Isreal for Just 11 days.
In addition to it, the US used its SM3 and SM-6 anti-ballistic missiles, firing up to 80 SM-3s that can cost between $8 to $25 million, depending on the model and variant. Despite these billion-dollar defenses, Israel faced considerable damage to its military bases and strategic infrastructure.
The Indian Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) functioned admirably in the recent four-day war with Pakistan in “Operation Sindoor”. However, it met a modest opposition from Pakistani drones.
At present, Indian Air Defences Consists of systems like S-400, Barak 8 SAMs, Akash SAMS and the American National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) that protects India. These have been designed skilfully integrate into the ground and air-based radar system but will wilt under a significant pressure and challenges. (In case of two front war i.e. Pakistan and China)
Taking learning from the America and Israeli experience in counter defending a small territory against a back-to-back attack, the real big question is
“whether India can reach the capacity of building a Sudarshan Chakra–like system in 2035, that can practically safeguard the entire country against missile threats from Pakistan and China, given the technological and financial challenges involved.”
Also ready about –Types of Missiles in India: Features, Significance & Classification of Indian Missile Systems 2025
AI and Indigenous Technology
At the core of the Sudarshan Chakra lies artificial intelligence and indigenous innovation. Unlike traditional systems, it will use AI for real-time threat assessment, autonomous decision-making, and seamless coordination between radars, interceptors, and command centers. True to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), the project will be developed by Indian scientists, engineers, and defense firms, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing homegrown defense expertise.
Timeline and Deployment Goals
Mission Sudarshan Chakra is set to be implemented in phases. Initial prototypes and testing are expected within the next few years, focusing primarily on sensitive border areas with Pakistan and China. Subsequent phases will expand protection to strategic cities, industrial hubs, and nuclear facilities. The full-scale operational system is targeted for deployment by 2035, marking a long-term transformation of India’s defense posture.
Geopolitical Significance
The announcement comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in South Asia, with both Pakistan and China investing heavily in missile and drone technology. Through Mission Sudarshan Chakra, India signals a clear shift from being a buyer of defense technology to becoming a builder and potential exporter. The initiative not only strengthens India’s deterrence capabilities but also creates opportunities for international defense collaborations and exports, particularly in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Myth Meets Modernity
The decision to name the project Sudarshan Chakra carries profound cultural and symbolic significance. The legendary weapon of Lord Krishna represents precision, speed, and invincibility. By linking this modern defense shield to an ancient icon of protection, the government has infused the project with national pride and a sense of cultural continuity, turning it into more than just a defense system—it becomes a narrative of India’s timeless resilience.
Also read about- “We should have our own jet engines for Made in India fighter jets”: PM Modi in Independence Day 2025
Public Reaction and Expert Concerns
The announcement, made on Independence Day 2025, has been widely celebrated as a patriotic milestone. Defense analysts and nationalist circles hailed it as a “freedom shield” for India’s skies. However, some experts caution that such projects demand enormous investments, complex testing procedures, and international collaboration to ensure success. Calls for transparency, accountability, and careful planning have also been raised to avoid potential pitfalls.
Conclusion
Mission Sudarshan Chakra represents far more than a defense initiative; it is a declaration of sovereignty and technological ambition. By unveiling it on Independence Day 2025, the government has underlined India’s determination to protect its people, secure its skies, and stand tall as a defense innovator on the global stage. If executed successfully, the Sudarshan Chakra could redefine India’s defense strategy for decades, merging mythology with modernity and ensuring that the skies above remain safe under the protection of a truly indigenous shield.
FAQ: Mission Sudarshan Chakra
1. What is Mission Sudarshan Chakra?
It’s India’s ambitious air and missile defence initiative aimed at building an integrated, multi-layered protective and offensive shield—combining advanced sensors, command infrastructure, missiles, lasers, and AI—to secure critical strategic and civilian assets by 2035
2. Why is it compared to Israel’s Iron Dome, and how is it different?
Sudarshan Chakra is often likened to the Iron Dome for its layered defence concept. However, unlike Israel’s compact system tailored for short-range unguided rockets, India’s system is designed to protect a vast nation-state with advanced threats, including state actors, hypersonic missiles, and drones.
3.What technologies make up this defence network?
The system integrates multiple layered elements—including QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles), VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence), Directed Energy Weapons (high-powered lasers), advanced radars, command and control systems, and AI-driven data fusion.
4. What are “soft kills” and “hard kills” as mentioned in the context of Mission Sudarshan Chakra?
Soft kills refer to non-destructive methods like jamming, electronic or cyber measures to neutralize threats. Hard kills involve kinetic or energy-based weapons that physically destroy the incoming target—such as missiles or lasers.
5. Has there been any testing of this system yet?
Yes. The DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) under Mission Sudarshan Chakra on August 25, 2025.
6. What were the components tested during these trials?
The tests featured QRSAM and VSHORADS missiles along with 5-kW-class lasers—in an integrated setup demonstrating both kinetic and directed energy defence capabilities.
7. How is Project Kusha related to Mission Sudarshan Chakra?
Project Kusha is a key sub-project under the Sudarshan Chakra umbrella, specifically focused on developing and testing long-range interceptor missiles starting in 2026. The intent is to further strengthen India’s layered defence grid by 2035
8.How will the system operate across different domains?
Mission Sudarshan Chakra demands massive integration across domains—land, air, sea, space—and sensors, with AI, big data, and quantum technologies enabling real-time fused situational awareness and response.
9.What scale and geographic coverage is envisioned for this system?
Rather than blanket national coverage, the system will create protective “bubbles” around critical nodes—such as the National Capital Region, major military bases, industrial hubs, and nuclear facilities—to balance scale and affordability.
10. What is the overall timeline and strategic goal of Mission Sudarshan Chakra?
Announced in August 2025, the mission targets operational capability by 2035. It aims to build an AI-enabled, multi-domain defence and offence shield capable of rapidly detecting and neutralizing modern aerial threats while enabling strategic responses.
Pratik Kondawale
Strategist | Indian Defence & Global Affairs
Founder of GeoLens.in, Pratik writes in-depth analysis on India’s defence strategy, military tech, and global power shifts delivering sharp insights through an Indian lens.
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