Aerial Security

Mohammad Asif Khan

On the night of 14 April 2024, Iran launched Operation True Promise, marking a historic escalation in the ongoing conflict with Israel. This operation saw Iran and its proxies firing around 330 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israel. It was direct retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier that month.

The scale and intensity of the attack were unprecedented. Israel, with the help of the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Jordan and Saudi Arabia, managed to intercept most of the incoming projectiles. However, satellite imagery suggests that a taxiway at Nevatim Air Base was damaged in the attack. This incident served as a stark reminder of air defence systems’ critical role in modern warfare. They are about safeguarding a nation’s airspace and protecting its civilian population and critical infrastructure.

In the context of India, a country that shares borders with adversarial neighbours and finds itself in a region rife with geopolitical tensions, the importance of a robust air defence system is even more pronounced. India’s air defence capabilities have been under scrutiny in light of these global events. India’s air defence capabilities rely heavily on foreign technology, particularly from Russia. The S-400 Triumph, one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems, is a prime example of this dependency. India signed a USD 5.5 billion deal with Russia in October 2018 to acquire five S-400 systems for the Indian Air Force. Since December 2021, Russia has delivered three units of the S-400 missile system to India, which have been deployed along the China and Pakistan borders.

On the other hand, China, India’s major adversary, has a strong air defence system. It operates Russian-built S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missiles. China also operates indigenously produced systems capable of tracking and attacking enemy aircraft. China showcased the FK-3000 air-defence missile weapon system, the HQ-16FE mid-to long-range air-defence missile weapon system and the Red-11 (also called HQ-11) universal terminal defence system at the Airshow China 2022 exhibition. China has made significant strides in expanding its air defence technology. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is adding combat aircraft at a rapid pace and continues to integrate into its aircraft a range of capable air-to-air missiles. China’s defence industry is also developing a new generation of air-to-surface stand-off weapons. Furthermore, China’s ambitious defence modernisation plan spanning 2023-2028 aims to solidify its status as a military powerhouse.

Emerging technologies such as stealth aircraft and drones pose a significant challenge. The air defence guns, which were the mainstay of ground-based air defence, seem to have lost their importance due to their limited range. The setback in Galwan, apropos China, continues to fester. These developments have put a spotlight on how well India is prepared to defend itself. Despite its advanced capabilities, the Air Defence System (ADS) faces many challenges. These include the need for modernisation and upgrading of existing systems, and the need to improve the coordination and interoperability of different air defence assets. In the face of these challenges, India needs to enhance its air defence capabilities.

India’s Air Defence Systems

Indian BMD Programme: The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme is a project that was started in 2000 by the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, after the Kargil War. The goal of this project is to create a defence system that can protect India from attacks by ballistic missiles. This system is designed to intercept any missile that is launched from a distance of up to 5,000 kilometres. The defence system is made up of two types of interceptor missiles. The first is the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile, which is used for high-altitude interception. The second is the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile, which is used for lower-altitude interception. In addition to these missiles, the system also includes a network of radars for early warning and tracking, as well as command and control posts. These components work together to detect and intercept incoming missiles.

Prithvi Air Defence (PAD): The