How India foiled Pak's attack, turned its missiles, drones into duds
Rattled by India's "focused, measured, and non-escalatory" operation Sindoor on Wednesday (May 7), a desperate Pakistan attempted to strike multiple military targets across Northern and Western India on the intervening nights of May 7 and 8. But, the Pakistani misadventure, that targeted at least 15 Indian military sites, was short-lived. The Pakistani swarm of drones and missiles fell like dead flies. Their shattered remains are now strewn across Indian soil, from Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir to Bhuj in the Rann of Kutch.advertisementThe Ministry of Defence said on Thursday that the Pakistani drones and missiles were quickly engaged and neutralised by India's Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems.What is this shield that helped India fend off an attack spread across 1,800 km of aerial distance of Indian territory? What are India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems that managed to fend off such a major attack from Pakistan?WHAT AND HOW OF INDIA'S INTEGRATED COUNTER-UAS SYSTEM GRID
Firstly, Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) are comprehensive defence mechanisms designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralise unauthorised drones.These systems employ a combination of technologies, including radar, radio frequency sensors, optical cameras, and acoustic detectors, to monitor airspace for potential threats.When a threat is identified, a C-UAS platform can deploy various countermeasures. They include signal jamming, GPS spoofing, or kinetic interceptors, to mitigate the risk posed by hostile unmanned aerial systems, according to Dedrone, a US-based company specialising in counter-drone and airspace security technologies.advertisementHowever, India's air defence is challenging and particularly complex due to its vast size, over 3.2 million square kilometres. Not every part of the country is equally vulnerable, but maintaining constant surveillance and readiness across such a large geography is daunting. This is where such grids come into play.So, in order to destroy such unidentified hostile unmanned aerial interceptions simultaneously, India has a network of such systems in place, called the Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Grid.The grid is a sophisticated network of such systems designed to detect, track, and neutralise unauthorised drones and missiles. It factors in the incoming speeds and sizes of the incoming hostile drones and missiles. In turn, based on that assessment, it deploys an appropriate weapon, such as a missile from its arsenal, to neutralise it.Though India has several such systems in the grid, a system uses its own unique variants. That is because different systems don't talk to (communicate with) one another. Like Apple products, they too form an ecosystem.Having said that, India's air defence systems are progressively becoming more interconnected, but significant challenges remain in achieving full integration.That's because India's air defence structure consists of a combination of indigenous and imported systems. Those imported are from various countries, like Russia, the US, Israel, and France. Some components are from the Soviet era too. Each system has its own hardware and software, which is a hindrance to holistic integration.advertisementThe Indian air defence grid's successful neutralisation of incoming Pakistani missiles underscores the extent of its deployment across Indian territory to safeguard critical assets, including airbases, marking what appears to be a successful real-world test of the system.WHAT ARE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS USED BY INDIA?India's unsung heroes, its air defence systems, are individual set-ups to deal with threats that come in many forms, including aircraft, drones, and missiles, requiring a multi-layered defence strategy to ensure comprehensive protection on its territory.At the forefront of India's air defence is the S-400 system, a long-range missile defence system imported from Russia. With a range of up to 450 km, the S-400 forms the outermost layer of India's defence, capable of intercepting advanced threats before they can reach critical targets.India has received three S-400 Triumf air defence system squadrons from Russia, with two more squadrons expected by early 2026, delayed from an initial 2025 timeline due to the war in Ukraine. In total, India ordered five squadrons under a $5.43 billion deal signed in 2018.
India's S-400 system can track aerial threats from as far as 600 kilometres and destroy them at ranges of up to 400 kilometres.
advertisementFor medium-range interception, India relies on the MR-SAM (Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile) and Barak 8 systems, developed jointly by India's DRDO and Israel's IAI. These systems cover a range of 70 to 150 km and are deployed on both land and naval platforms.Complementing this is the Akash system, an indigenous short-to-medium-range defence system that covers distances of 30 to 50 km.At the short-range level, the Spyder system, an Israeli-made defence solution with a range of 8–10 km, adds another layer of protection, particularly for sensitive areas. India also utilises legacy systems like the Soviet-era Pechora and OSA-AK, though these are being phased out due to their obsolescence.For very close-in threats, India has VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defense) systems, such as shoulder-fired missiles and gun-based platforms like the Shilka and Tunguska.Together, these systems form a layered, concentric air defence network, designed not just for interception but also for deterrence and kill.Tune InMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
10 minutes ago
- Hans India
NIA chargesheets key aide of BKI terrorist Landa in Punjab terror conspiracy case
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against a key aide of designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) organisation and dreaded gangster Pavittar Batala in a Punjab terror conspiracy case. The aide identified as Jatinder Singh alias Joti is a resident of the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. He was arrested by the NIA from Mumbai on December 23, 2024, in the case RC-21/2023/NIA/DLI. The NIA had found during the investigation that Jatinder was involved in the illegal procurement and supply of firearms from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab-based gangsters. According to a press release issued by the agency on Sunday, "Jatinder Singh was facilitating the supply of weapons to ground operatives of Batala, a close associate of Designated Individual Terrorist Lakhbir Singh @ Landa. Batala's foreign-based associates were coordinating Jatinder's operations in India. The weapons were being used by Batala's operatives in Punjab to promote BKI's criminal-terror activities." It was further found during NIA investigations that Jatinder used to procure illegal weapons from a known arms supplier, Baljeet Singh alias Rana Bhai, in Madhya Pradesh. Baljeet had already been arrested and charge-sheeted by the NIA. The accused were using virtual numbers and encrypted applications to avoid detection. At the time of Jatinder's arrest in 2024, the NIA had said that this marked a major step forward in its efforts to dismantle the terror-gangster nexus by preventing the smuggling of arms, ammunition, explosives, etc., and raising funds for carrying out terrorist acts on Indian soil. The NIA is investigating the role of Landa as well as designated terrorist Harwinder Singh, alias Rinda and their foreign-based accomplices in the conspiracy. The Union Home Ministry has designated Lakhbir Singh Landa, a 34-year-old Canada-based gangster, as a terrorist under the stringent anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Landa was involved in a rocket attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in 2021, among other terrorist activities, according to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He fled to Canada in 2017.
New Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Pahalgam attack: NIA arrests two men for harbouring LeT terrorists
As per NIA investigation, both Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack. 'The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on April 22 afternoon, selectively killed the tourists based on their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever. Both Parvaiz and Bashir have been arrested under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Further investigation in the case is going on," the NIA spokesperson added. On April 22, militants attacked tourists at Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows, which is also known as mini Switzerland. 25 tourists belonging to different states and a local pony wala Syed Adil Shah, who attempted to save tourists by snatching the rifle of one of the attackers, were killed in the terror attack. 16 people were also injured in the attack. The security forces suspect involvement of four militants, including three Pakistanis Hashim Musa alias Suleiman, Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, Asif Fauji and a local militant, Abid Hussain Thoker, a resident of Anantnag in the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Police has announced a bounty of Rs 20 lakh on the head of militants. The NIA has taken over the investigation of the case and NIA officials are camping in Pahalgam for investigations. The NIA chief Sadanand Vasant Date has also visited the attack site to review the pace of investigations. On May 7, the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor to target and destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK to avenge the Pahalgam attack.
NDTV
19 minutes ago
- NDTV
Major Breakthrough In Pahalgam Case, 2 Arrested For Sheltering Pak Terrorists
The three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which left 26 innocent people dead, are Pakistani nationals and are affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found. Announcing a big breakthrough in its probe into the heinous attack, the anti-terror agency has said it has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who carried out the attack at Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, also known as 'Mini Switzerland'. "The two men - Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam - have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)," the NIA said in a statement. "Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, as per NIA investigations. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever," it added. The two accused have been arrested under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which relates to punishment for harboring a terrorist. The NIA has said further investigation into the case is on. In an attack that shocked the nation, armed terrorists shot dead 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator in cold blood at Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley. According to eyewitnesses and the victims' family members, the killers asked their religion before shooting them at close range. The Pahalgam attack, which crossed several red lines, sparked nationwide outrage. A fortnight later, India launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the killings and targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. New Delhi clarified that it had targeted only terror bases. Pakistan, however, responded by firing a barrage of missiles and drones along India's western border. India's robust air defence neutralised most of these projectiles, although heavy shelling on the border and Line of Control led to loss of lives. India then struck key military installations in Pakistan, including multiple air bases, forcing Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. New Delhi has warned that any future attack will invite a crushing response.
