Missile Defence Systems

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

Context

• The renewed hostilities between the United States-led coalition (including Israel and United Arab Emirates) and Iran have tested a newly integrated regional air and missile defence network in West Asia.

What is a missile defence system?

• Missile defence refers to an integrated military system designed to detect, track, intercept, and destroy incoming missiles before they reach their intended targets, thereby protecting civilian populations, military installations, and critical infrastructure.
• Missile defence systems rely on a network of satellites, radars, command centres, and interceptor missiles that work together in real time to neutralise threats.
• Modern missile defence architecture is layered, meaning that multiple opportunities are created to intercept an incoming missile at different phases of its flight.

How an Interceptor Works?

• An interceptor is a defensive missile that is launched to destroy an incoming threat, and its functioning involves several coordinated steps such as;
  • Detection: Satellites detect the launch, and radars track the missile’s speed, direction, altitude, and projected impact point.
  • Decision: Data is analysed at the command centre to assess the threat and decide whether to launch an interceptor.
  • Launch and Guidance: The interceptor is fired and guided midcourse using radar updates to align it with the target.
  • Destruction: The interceptor destroys the target either by exploding nearby (proximity fuse) or by direct high-speed collision (hit-to-kill).
  • Assessment: Radar confirms destruction, and additional interceptors are launched if required.

India’s Missile Defence Architecture

• Multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system under DRDO:
  • The Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) interceptor is designed for exo-atmospheric interception to intercept incoming missiles at altitudes of 50 km to 180 km.
  • The Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor is intended for endo-atmospheric interception during the terminal phase to neutralise threats within the Earth’s atmosphere at altitudes up to 30 km.
• Layered Air Defence Shield: 
  • The S-400 Triumf is a highly advanced, mobile, Russian-developed surface-to-air missile (SAM) system inducted by India to enhance long-range air defence capability.
  • Medium-Range (70–100 km): The Barak-8 (MRSAM/LRSAM), co-developed with Israel, provides 360-degree protection for both land and naval assets.
  • Short-Range (25–50 km): The indigenous Akash system and Israel’s SPYDER protect strategic points and mobile army units.
• Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Announced as a comprehensive vision for 2035, Mission Sudarshan Chakra aims to create an all-encompassing, AI-enabled national shield.

Key Air-Defence Systems of other countries

What are the challenges?

• Missile interceptors are extremely expensive, costing millions of dollars per unit, creating cost asymmetry when facing cheaper offensive missiles.
• Saturation attacks involving large numbers of missiles and drones can overwhelm defence systems.
• Hypersonic weapons with manoeuvrability and high speeds reduce interception probability.

Way Ahead

• Missile defence systems have become indispensable components of modern national security architecture. Although no system guarantees complete protection, layered interception capability significantly enhances defensive resilience.
• For India, development of indigenous missile defence systems, integration of advanced sensors, and strengthening of domestic manufacturing capacity will be critical to ensuring long-term strategic security in an increasingly missile-centric security environment.

Source: TH