With the introduction of Mission Sudarshan Chakra and the accelerated construction of Project Kusha, the country’s most ambitious air and missile defence programs to date, India is about to undergo a dramatic transition in its defensive capabilities. These interrelated initiatives demonstrate India’s dedication to developing a comprehensive security shield on par with international systems such as Israel’s Iron Dome and the projected US Golden Dome, while also attaining strategic autonomy through domestic military technology.
India’s security posture underwent a radical change on Independence Day 2025 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of Mission Sudarshan Chakra. The strategic philosophy of the mission goes beyond conventional defensive tactics. As a “shield and sword,” Sudarshan Chakra incorporates decisive counter-offensive capabilities, in contrast to simply reactive systems.
In a clear shift from defensive-only doctrines to an integrated deterrent approach, Prime Minister Modi said that the system would “hit back at the adversary’many times more'” in addition to neutralising enemy attacks.
The intricacy of the system was further explained by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who said it required “a colossal amount of integration” of sensors, missiles, surveillance equipment, and artificial intelligence capabilities. Multi-domain ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) integration across the air, sea, space, and ground domains will be included in the system.
The core technology for Mission Sudarshan Chakra is Project Kusha, which is India’s domestic substitute for the Russian S-400 system. This project, which is being led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), aims to create long-range surface-to-air missile systems that can compete with those of other countries.
The project’s three-tiered interceptor missile system is intended to counter attacks at varying altitudes and ranges:
This missile, which is expected to be tested in 2026, will be aimed at drones, precision-guided munitions, cruise missiles, stealth fighters, and approaching aircraft. For improved manoeuvrability, the M1 has a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, infrared and radio frequency guidance, and an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) seeker. It is a major improvement in tactical engagement capabilities, with a single-shot kill probability of at least 90% (up to 98.5% in salvo mode).
With longer booster versions and the same 250mm diameter kill vehicle as the M1, the M2 is scheduled for testing in 2027 and expands engagement capabilities to defeat medium-range threats.
The M3, the system’s longest-range capability, is slated for testing in 2028 and is intended to engage high-value targets at the furthest possible range.
About ₹21,700 crore ($2.6 billion) has been set aside by the Defence Ministry to purchase five squadrons of the system for the Indian Air Force. Should BEL be chosen as the system integrator, orders might total up to ₹40,000 crore.
On August 23, 2025, the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) was successfully tested, providing a key validation of India’s defence capabilities. This multi-layered system used indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) to engage and destroy three targets simultaneously, including multi-copter drones and high-speed fixed-wing UAVs.
India’s ballistic missile defence program has a thorough two-phase strategy to combat threats in a variety of range categories:
Phase I has been successfully implemented and focusses on intercepting ballistic missiles with a range of up to 2,000 km. The Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile is used for lower altitude endo-atmospheric engagement, whereas the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile is used for high-altitude exo-atmospheric interception. Installation of Phase I deployment around the nation’s capital is presently pending government approval.
Threats from long-range missiles with ranges of 2,000–5,000 km are addressed in Phase II. In July 2024, testing of the AD-1 interceptor missile, which is intended for both low Exo-atmospheric and Endo-atmospheric interception duties, was completed successfully. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, the chairman of the DRDO, claims that the AD-1 can intercept incoming missiles up to 5,000 km away. Currently in development, the AD-2 missile will be able to carry both intercontinental and intermediate-range ballistic missiles with ranges greater than 5,000 km.
India’s ambitious defence modernisation timeframe adheres to a methodically planned methodology:
2025–2026: M1 interceptor trials start, with BEL finishing prototype development in 12–18 months and DRDO constructing initial test missiles.
2027–2028: Phases of testing for the M2 and M3 interceptors, along with extensive user trials of the Project Kusha system 2028–2030: Development of all three interceptor versions is finished, and the Indian Air Force and Navy services are first implemented.
From 2030 to 2035, coverage will gradually be extended from critical bases and major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to include complete security of dams, refineries, heritage sites, rail networks, and power grids.
2035: The national integrated defence shield is fully operational.
India’s most ambitious defence transformation projects, Mission Sudarshan Chakra and Project Kusha, aim to make the country an independent defence technological power and build an unbreakable security barrier. In addition to safeguarding India’s strategic interests, the successful completion of these programs by 2035 will establish India as a major player in the development of defence technologies worldwide, radically changing the dynamics of regional security and creating a new standard for the development of domestic defence capabilities.
