How Drones Changed War: India's 'Sudarshan Chakra' and the New Rules of Air Defence

Sudarshan Chakra is more than just a piece of military hardware, its core mission is to counter these evolving threats i.e. drones, missiles, etc.

New Delhi: When we think of modern warfare, we often imagine fighter jets and advanced missiles. But recent conflicts from Ukraine to Nagorno-Karabakh have revealed a new, far cheaper weapon that's changing everything: drones. These small, often off-the-shelf devices are exposing a critical vulnerability in even the most sophisticated military arsenals. And India's new plan for an all-encompassing air defence system, called "Sudarshan Chakra," is a clear sign that its military leadership has been paying close attention to these new lessons of war.

This isn't just another defence project; it’s a strategic pivot. A top military official recently said the Sudarshan Chakra would be the "mother of all air defence systems," and what makes it unique is that its core mission is to counter these evolving threats—from low-flying drones to cutting-edge hypersonic weapons.

Thinking Two Steps Ahead: The Chess Game of Air Defence

The conversation around the Sudarshan Chakra highlights a crucial shift in military strategy. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), put it perfectly when he said the game of military planning is now "like a game of chess," where you have to think "two steps ahead."

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This is a direct response to what he called an "innovation adaptation cycle." In conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, cheap commercial drones have been devastatingly effective against multi-million-dollar tanks and naval ships. An adversary with a budget for a few drones can cause massive damage to a military that relies on traditional, expensive hardware.

The message from India’s defence leadership is clear: the country cannot afford to just keep up; it has to stay ahead. The planned system, as described by Air Marshal Dixit, is an acknowledgement that the "surprise element" of new technology is a powerful advantage, but one that can be used only once. The opponent learns, adapts, and develops their own counter-measures. So, continuous innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

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Beyond 'Make in India': The Call for 'Think in India'

While India has heavily promoted its 'Make in India' initiative to boost local manufacturing, the military's new focus signals an even deeper requirement: a 'Think in India' culture. The Sudarshan Chakra isn't just about building new hardware; it's about integrating sensors, missiles, surveillance, and artificial intelligence in a way that’s unique to India’s strategic needs.

This is a stark departure from simply buying defence equipment off the shelf. As the Air Marshal pointed out, India’s current anti-drone systems have been a "success story," but the next set of threats will be even more sophisticated, using AI and visual navigation to bypass traditional GPS-jamming. The new system, therefore, has to be a combination of "soft kill" (electronic jamming) and "hard kill" (physical destruction), designed and built with a deep understanding of future threats.

This emphasis on self-reliance, or Atmanirbharta, isn't just about national pride; it's about strategic independence and the ability to innovate quickly without relying on foreign partners who may not share the same priorities or face the same threats. It also means that India’s military won’t have to "go bankrupt while winning a war," as the Air Marshal wisely noted, by avoiding the high cost of foreign military imports.

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The Bigger Picture: A Shield for a New Era

The Sudarshan Chakra is more than just a piece of military hardware. It represents India's official recognition of a new, complex era of warfare where air power isn't just about planes and bombs, but about tiny, intelligent flying machines that can change the course of a battle.

The project, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced as a 10-year plan, suggests a long-term commitment to securing the country's airspace against both known and unknown threats. 

In a region with escalating border tensions, and with lessons from conflicts like the Azerbaijan-Armenia war fresh in mind, the decision to develop an advanced, indigenous air defence system is a statement of intent. 

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It's a clear signal that India is prepared to defend itself, not with a simple wall, but with a multi-layered shield—a shield that's constantly learning, adapting, and thinking two steps ahead of the adversary.