Mission Sudarshan Chakra: India’s Sky Shield to Stop Every Missile Threat

New Delhi, August 26, 2025 — India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan spoke about Mission Sudarshan Chakra on Monday. He explained why this ambitious defence shield is important for the country. The project, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day 2025, is now being seen as one of the most powerful steps ever taken to secure India’s skies.

What Exactly Is Mission Sudarshan Chakra?

Mission Sudarshan Chakra is India’s plan to build a multi-layered air and missile defence system. It will be capable of detecting and neutralising all kinds of threats from the sky. This includes enemy fighter jets, drones, rockets, and even hypersonic missiles.

The mission is being compared to Israel’s famous Iron Dome system. But Indian defence officials believe Sudarshan Chakra will go even further. It will be designed to protect both military and civilian assets. This means not only army bases, but also power plants, dams, railways, airports, hospitals, and even religious places will be safe under its protection.

According to the CDS, this is not just about defence. It will also give India the power to strike back instantly if attacked.

How Will Sudarshan Chakra Work?

General Chauhan explained that the mission works on two types of “kills”:

1. Soft Kill
   • This method will use advanced electronic systems to confuse or misguide enemy missiles.
   • It includes jammers, decoys, and cyber-attacks.
   • The idea is to make the enemy weapon “blind” before it can hit the target.
2. Hard Kill
   • If soft kill fails, the system will physically destroy the missile or aircraft.
   • This will be done using interceptor missiles, high-power lasers, and directed energy weapons.
   • The target will be blown up in the air before it reaches Indian soil.

This “two-step shield” ensures that even if one layer fails, another will protect the country.

A Multi-Layered Defence for India

Mission Sudarshan Chakra is not a single weapon. It is a complete shield with several layers of defence:

• Long-range radars will spot threats from hundreds of kilometres away.
• Medium-range missiles will destroy enemy planes and rockets in mid-air.
• Short-range quick reaction systems will stop low-flying drones and helicopters.
• Laser weapons will target fast and small objects at close range.

This means India will have protection at every stage — from the time a missile is fired to the moment it approaches its final target.

Cutting-Edge Technology

The CDS highlighted that this project needs integration of multiple technologies. It will depend on:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) for analysing threats.
• Big data systems to handle millions of signals in real time.
• Quantum computing for faster decision-making.
• Satellites and space-based sensors to track missiles even outside Earth’s atmosphere.

For the first time, India will combine land, air, sea, undersea, and space sensors into one central network. This will give the military a “360-degree view” of all threats.

Successful Test Trials

India has already conducted several tests for Sudarshan Chakra:

• Off the coast of Odisha, the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System was tested.
• In one trial, three different targets were destroyed at the same time.
• Weapons used included Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), and a laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).

These tests show that India is not only working on missile defence, but also on futuristic weapons like high-energy lasers.

Why Is This Mission Important?

India faces threats from two hostile neighbours — China and Pakistan. Both countries are modernising their missile forces. China is testing hypersonic weapons, while Pakistan continues to expand its missile stockpile.

Modern wars are not fought only with soldiers and tanks. They are fought with speed, precision, and advanced technology. Small, quick conflicts can happen suddenly. A drone swarm or a missile attack can cause huge damage in seconds.

That is why Sudarshan Chakra is crucial. It will ensure that India is ready for short, sharp, and sudden wars.

Beyond Defence: Boosting Self-Reliance

Another aim of the mission is to reduce dependence on foreign systems. India has so far bought missile defence systems from countries like Russia, the US, and Israel. With Sudarshan Chakra, India will produce most of the technology within the country.

This aligns with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) push. Defence industries, private companies, and startups will all be part of this mission. Thousands of jobs are expected to be created.

The Scale of the Challenge

General Chauhan admitted that Mission Sudarshan Chakra is a colossal task. It requires perfect coordination between many agencies. The military, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), space agencies, universities, and private companies will have to work together.

He also said the system must be ready for future threats, not just today’s. That means preparing for cyber-attacks, artificial intelligence weapons, and hypersonic missiles that travel faster than sound.

The Timeline

Mission Sudarshan Chakra will not be completed overnight. The plan is to build it in phases:

• Phase 1 (2025-2030): Development of sensors, radar, and missile systems.
• Phase 2 (2030-2032): Integration of directed energy weapons like lasers.
• Phase 3 (2032-2035): Full deployment across the country, covering all critical sites.

By 2035, the shield should be fully operational. India will then join the league of nations with one of the strongest missile defence systems in the world.

Global Reactions

Defence experts around the world are watching closely. Some have compared Sudarshan Chakra to the US Patriot system and Israel’s Iron Dome. But what makes it unique is the combination of missile defence and laser weapons in one project.

Chinese military experts have already shown surprise at India’s progress in high-energy laser weapons. Analysts believe that once completed, Sudarshan Chakra will change the balance of power in Asia.

Public Sentiment

Among ordinary Indians, the announcement has brought a sense of pride. People see it as a step towards making the country stronger and safer. Social media platforms are flooded with discussions, comparisons, and hopes for the system’s success.

Many are calling it India’s “Sky Shield” or “Iron Dome Plus”, while others see it as a modern version of the mythological Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu, a divine weapon that never missed its target.