India's Air Defence Web: How Interceptors Crushed Pakistan’s Drone Attack

India's Air Defence Web: How Interceptors Crushed Pakistan’s Drone Attack

In Short:

• India’s air defence successfully neutralised a large-scale drone and missile attack from Pakistan.

• The system's resilience was demonstrated with precise interception of threats.

• Integrated through concentric layers, India’s air defence includes S-400, Akash, and counter-UAS systems.

• The Indian Air Force's real-time coordination played a crucial role in the victory.

The night sky on May 8-9 was illuminated by the thunderous roar of Indian interceptors as they sprang into action, neutralising a major drone and missile attack launched by Pakistan. The event highlighted the strength and effectiveness of India's sophisticated air defence grid, which repelled multiple threats targeting key military sites.

Operation Under Pressure: A Test of India’s Air Defence

This large-scale attack followed India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted and destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. As swarm drones, also known as loitering munitions, entered Indian airspace, India’s defence systems were fully put to the test. The response was swift and lethal, with interceptors turning these drones into duds.

India’s air defence grid operates as a multi-layered shield, designed to counter a variety of threats—ranging from long-range missiles and stealth aircraft to drones and loitering munitions. Its success during this high-stakes operation underscored its advanced capabilities and resilience.

Breakdown of India’s Air Defence Grid

India’s integrated air defence system is structured in concentric layers, with each layer optimally designed to intercept threats at various ranges and altitudes. Managed by the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), this grid seamlessly connects radars, sensors, and command posts via high-speed fibre optics, allowing for real-time tracking and an immediate response.

Here’s how the grid is stacked:

Outermost Layer: S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra'

• System: S-400 Triumf (Sudarshan Chakra)

• Origin: Russia

• Range: 400 km (engagement), 600 km (detection)

• Role: The S-400 is the backbone of India’s long-range air defence, designed to track and destroy everything from stealth aircraft and cruise missiles to drones and tactical ballistic missiles.

• Status: Three squadrons operational, with more expected by 2026.

High-Altitude and Ballistic Missile Defence: Indian BMD Programme

• Components: Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD)

• Role: Engages ballistic missiles launched from up to 5,000 km away, with PAD targeting exo-atmospheric threats and AAD focusing on lower altitudes.

• Range: PAD engages up to 80 km above the Earth's surface.

Intermediate Layer: MRSAM/Barak-8

• System: Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) / Barak-8

• Origin: India-Israel collaboration

• Range: 70-100 km

• Role: These systems target high-speed aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones, filling the critical mid-tier gap between the S-400 and shorter-range systems.

Short to Medium Range: Akash and QRSAM

• System: Akash, Akash-NG, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM)

• Origin: Indigenous

• Range: Akash (30-50 km), Akash-NG (up to 70 km), QRSAM (30 km)

• Role: Provides rapid response against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones, especially during saturation attacks.

Close-In and Point Defence:

• Systems: Spyder (Israel), Zu-23-2, Shilka, Tunguska, VSHORAD

• Role: Protects key installations from drones, low-flying aircraft, and precision-guided munitions at very short ranges (2–5 km).

Counter-UAS and Electronic Warfare:

• Systems: Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Grid

• Role: Designed to detect, track, and neutralise hostile drones using radar, RF sensors, and kinetic/electronic countermeasures.

Integration: Real-Time Response and Coordination

The entire system is managed by IACCS, ensuring a seamless integration of data from multiple sensors and radars. This coordination allows for prioritisation of threats and ensures the most suitable interceptors are deployed in real-time, providing maximum interception probability while closing gaps.

Conclusion: A Robust and Adaptive Shield

India’s layered air defence system is a testament to the country's strategic foresight and technological advancements. The grid’s ability to combine imported, indigenous, and co-developed technologies creates a flexible and formidable shield capable of defending against the full spectrum of modern aerial threats. With the S-400 as its backbone and cutting-edge systems like Akash, MRSAM, and C-UAS, India is well-prepared for both deterrence and active defence.