
India's 4-Layer Air Defence System That Destroyed Pakistani Missiles And Drones
Indian air defence units successfully intercepted and destroyed all Pakistani threats, including Chinese PL-15 missiles, long-range rockets, loitering munitions and Turkish drones
India's robust, multi-layered air defence system successfully intercepted Pakistan's attempted drone and missile attacks following Operation Sindoor, before a ceasefire came into effect on May 10. News18 breaks down the country's formidable four-tier air defence system, one of the most critical pillars of India's national security.
India's multi-layered air defence network is built to detect, track, and neutralise aerial threats at multiple ranges, forming a strong shield against enemy attacks. During the recent threat from Pakistan, the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) deployed a potent mix of Russian S-400 Triumph systems, indigenous Akash and Samar missiles, Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missiles and advanced anti-drone systems.
Each layer of this defence grid is specifically designed to intercept threats based on their distance and altitude, ensuring a swift and effective response.
First Layer: The innermost layer is dedicated to neutralising very short-range aerial threats, such as low-flying drones. It includes systems like the L-70 anti-aircraft guns, Igla and Strela MANPADS, ZU-23-2B guns, Shilka and Tunguska. These are effective within a range of up to 10 km.
Second Layer: The second layer, known as the point defence system, is tasked with protecting specific areas or critical assets. This layer consists of short-range surface-to-air missile systems such as Akash, Spyder, Samar, Pechora and Osa-AK with interception capabilities of up to 50 km.
Fourth Layer: The outermost and longest-range tier features the Russian-made S-400 Triumph system, which can detect and destroy threats as far as 400 km away. It can intercept enemy aircraft and missiles far before they reach Indian airspace.
In this multi-layered air defence grid, older but reliable systems like the Pechora, Osa-AK and air defence guns played a crucial role.
Air Force officer Awadhesh Kumar Bharti said, 'This air defence system neutralised every aerial threat from the enemy. The performance of the indigenous Akash missile system, in particular, was highly commendable."
According to reports, Indian air defence units successfully intercepted and destroyed a range of threats, including Chinese PL-15 missiles, long-range rockets, loitering munitions and Turkish-made drones.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy played a key role in securing the maritime front. Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Director General Operations, said the deployment of aircraft carriers and MiG-29K fighter jets near the Makran coast in the Arabian Sea effectively curbed Pakistani air activity in the region, ensuring there was no threat from the sea.
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