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Amid the Israel-Hamas war, a lot has been said about Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system and experts continue to debate on its accomplishments and limitations. Now India reportedly, is readying its own long-range air defence system and plans to deploy it by 2028-2029.
So what is this master weapon and how will it serve India? Let’s decode
What exactly is this system?
This indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) system, designed to detect and neutralize incoming threats like stealth fighters, drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions.
It will intercept and destroy incoming attacks mid-air. The initial squadron will have a 350-km range and cost around Rs. 21,700 crores.
Who is developing it?
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing this long-range air defence system as part of ‘Project Kusha’.
This new LR-SAM will have interception capabilities comparable to the Russian S-400 Triumf air defence system recently inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Additionally, it will have different types of interceptor missiles that can hit hostile targets at 150-km, 250-km and 350-km ranges.
How effective will it be?
This new air defence weapon is also meant to provide strategic and tactical cover to vulnerable areas, with the DRDO saying it will be “effective even against high-speed targets with low-radar cross-section”.
According to DRDO sources, the system is also capable of intercepting fighter-sized targets at a 250-kilometre range, while larger aircraft like AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) and mid-air refuelers can be intercepted at a 350-kilometre range.
What are they saying?
Some experts believe that India’s version of the Iron Dome won’t be as beneficial as thought. Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retired), speaking to The Print, said, “But now we have the S-400 missile system. So, it does not make sense now.”
An IAF officer further explained, “This system was created keeping in mind the threat faced by Israel. India faces different threats. Also, we have a multi-layered air defence system.”
How does Israel's Iron Dome work?
Simply put, it is a series of batteries that use radars to detect incoming short-range rockets and intercept them. Each battery has three or four launchers, 20 missiles, and a radar.
Once the radar detects a rocket, it launches an intercepting missile to destroy it. According to reports, the Iron Dome is roughly 90 percent effective.
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