Details

• Automated command and control system that integrates data from all air defence assets, including ground-based radar, airborne sensors, civilian radar, communication nodes etc.
  • Provides a comprehensive battlefield picture and situational awareness during air operations. 
• Developed by: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector aerospace and defence electronics company 

• Constantly monitors Indian airspace via a network of Long-Range Tracking Radars (LRTRs) with a range of over 500 km, comprising Swordfish Radars.
• It also receives data from: 
  • IAF's and National Technical Research Organization's ELM-2090 Terra systems (procured from Israel), which conduct very long-range search and detection.
  • Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C), developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), having 240-degree radar coverage with a range of up to 200 km.
  • Three Israeli IL-76-based Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) which have 360-degree radar coverage and a range of over 400 km.

• A system designed to automate detection, tracking and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones and missiles and integrates various radar systems, sensors and communication technologies into a single operational framework.
• Enables autonomous monitoring of low-level airspace in battle zones and efficient control of Ground-Based Air Defence Weapon Systems. 
• Developed by: BEL

• It is Indian Navy's maritime domain awareness platform which integrates sea-based radars, sonars, and communication nodes, enabling real-time threat detection across coastal and deep-sea regions.

• Developed by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Coverage: Provides accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) service up to region extending about 1500 km beyond the Indian landmass.
• Consists of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24 x 7. 
  • 3 satellites are placed in geostationary orbit and 4 in inclined geosynchronous orbit.
  • These satellites are equipped with dual-band signals (L5 and S-band).
    • The L5 signal is encrypted for military use.

First Layer (Very Short Range)

Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy (D4) anti-drone system

• Developed by: DRDO & Productionized by BEL
• It is equipped with dual-layered kill mechanism-
  • Hard Kill: Laser Directed Energy Weapon System
  • Soft Kill: Drone communication channel Radio Frequency (RF) Detection & Jamming, GPS Jamming / Spoofing System 
• Other features:
  • RADAR System – Drone detection and tracking
  • Charge-Coupled Device, Infra-red camera for detection and tracking of Drone targe
  • Command & Control Centre (C3) with Power Source for complete System

Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS)

• Surface-to-air missiles that can be carried and fired by a single individual or carried and fired by more than one person acting as a crew.
  • India has procured Russian MANPADS including the Igla-M and its more advanced successor, the Igla-S.

Schilka systems (ZSU-23-4)

• It is a self-propelled, radar-guided anti-aircraft weapon system (SPAAG) mounted on a tracked chassis.
• This Russian origin mobile air defense fire control system is designed to defend exposed ground forces and armed vehicles against air attacks.
• It uses 3rd generation electro-optical system, phased array 3D tracking radar and an accurate navigation system that generates a 360 degrees full coverage against any air attack day or night. 

Zu-23 mm system

• Soviet designed, twin-barrel anti-aircraft gun featuring twin 23mm autocannons. 
• It has an effective range of up to 2.5 km for air targets and about 2 km for ground targets.
• It is capable of offering a high volume of fire and is frequently used to shield static installations against low-flying threats.

L/70 Anti-Aircraft Gun

• A 40mm gun, significantly enhanced with radar, electro-optical sensors, including auto-tracking systems. 
• Developed by: Sweden's Bofors and manufactured in India.
• Capable of firing 240–330 rounds per minute with a range of up to 4 km.

Second Layer (Short Range)

Akash

• Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) system to protect vulnerable areas and vulnerable points from air attacks.
• Developed by: DRDO 
• Currently in service with the IAF and the Indian Army.
• Key Features
  • Interception range: 30–35 km 
    • In 2016, Government approved development of Akash Next Generation (Akash NG) system with an extended range of up to 70 km.
  • Can engage targets at altitudes of up to 18 km.
  • Can simultaneously engage multiple targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode.
  • Has built in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features.

SPYDER (Surface-to-Air Python and Derby)

• It is a low-level, quick-reaction SAM system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and precision-guided munitions.
• Developed by: Israel
• Fires two types of interceptor missiles: the Python-5 and Derby.
• India purchased 18 SPYDER-MR (Medium Range) Systems having a range of 35 km and these can engage at altitudes between 16 km and 20 km.

Legacy Soviet Systems

• S-125 Pechora, 9K33 Osa-AK, and 2K12 Kub/Kvadrat.

Third Layer (Medium Range)

Barak-8 Missile Defence System

• Co-developed by: DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) under an intergovernmental agreement between India and Israel
• The system has two versions: 
  • Naval-based Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) system with a range of up to 100 km.
  • Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system with a range of up to 70 km. 

Fourth Layer (Long Range)

S-400 Sudarshan Chakra

• S-400 integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and a command-and-control centre.
• Developed by: Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau as S-400 Triumph 
  • India signed a deal in 2016 to purchase five S-400 systems. 
• Employs four types of missiles: short-range (40 km), medium-range (120 km), long-range (250 km), and very long-range (400 km)—thus creating a layered defence.
• It can engage all types of aerial targets, including aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and ballistic and cruise missiles, within a range of up to 400 km at an altitude of up to 30 km.

Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Programme

• Two-tiered system capable of intercepting any incoming ballistic missile with a range of up to 2,000 km (and up to 5,000-km in Phase II).
  • Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) System: Can intercept incoming ballistic missiles with a range of up to 2,000 km, at altitudes of up to 80 km, and at speeds of Mach 5.
    • As part of Phase II of its BMD programme, India is developing the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV), which can intercept exo-atmospheric targets at altitudes of up to 100 km.
  • Advanced Air Defence (AAD) System: Can intercept incoming ballistic missile threats up to an altitude of 30 km. 

Weapons

Details

BrahMos missiles

• A Supersonic Cruise Missile i.e. travels at a speed of around 2-3 Mach.
  • Cruise Missile is propelled by jet engines. 
• Developed under the joint venture agreement between India and Russia.
• Key Features: 
  • Fire and Forget principle of operation.
  • Long flight range (290km) with varieties of flight trajectories. 
  • Low radar signature.
  • Pin point accuracy with high lethal power aided by large kinetic energy on impact.

Rafale Weapon Systems

• Rafale fighter jets (developed by Dassault Aviation, France), equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, are used for precision strike.
• Some examples of weapons-
  • SCALP (Storm Shadow): A stealthy, air-launched cruise missile manufactured by MBDA, designed for deep strikes up to 450 km. 
  • AASM HAMMER (Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) bombs: Have a range of 70 km and they offer pinpoint accuracy and can be launched from low altitudes. 
  • METEOR: A beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to perform in dense electronic warfare conditions.

Drones