{"id":345307,"date":"2025-08-28T19:41:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T14:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=345307"},"modified":"2025-09-01T10:35:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T05:05:10","slug":"india-strengthens-layered-air-defence-through-integration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-strengthens-layered-air-defence-through-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"India strengthens layered air defence through integration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source<\/strong>: The post Press freedom faces threats under misuse of new law has been created, based on the article \u201cA stronger air shield<\/strong>\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express<\/strong>\u201d on 28th August 2025. India strengthens layered air defence through integration.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"India<\/p>\n

UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> GS Paper3- I<\/strong>ndigenization of technology and developing new technology.<\/p>\n

Context: DRDO<\/strong> announced the maiden flight test<\/strong> of an all-indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)<\/strong> off the coast of Odisha<\/strong>. The three-layered<\/strong> system targets aircraft, drones, and missiles up to 30\u201335 km<\/strong>. This test, part of Mission Sudarshan Chakra 2035. <\/strong>This highlights India\u2019s progress toward self-reliant, multi-domain defence systems and future international collaborations for layered security.<\/p>\n

For detailed information on Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)<\/strong> read this article here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

IADWS and Its Significance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Layers and ranges: <\/strong>IADWS combines a QR-SAM (30 km)<\/strong>, an Advanced VSHORADS (up to 6 km)<\/strong>, and a laser-based DEW (2\u20134 km)<\/strong>. Together, they cover outer, inner, and terminal<\/strong> zones.<\/li>\n
  2. Centralised control: <\/strong>A DRDL (Defence Research & Development Laboratory)-developed Centralised Command and Control Centre<\/strong> coordinates detection, decision, and engagement. It enables integrated, real-time operation<\/strong> of all layers.<\/li>\n
  3. Trial outcomes: <\/strong>Three targets\u2014two high-speed fixed-wing UAVs<\/strong> and a multi-copter drone<\/strong>\u2014were simultaneously destroyed<\/strong>. All components performed flawlessly<\/strong>, validating lab-built integration<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    IGMDP Foundations and Capability Growth<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Genesis and clustered approach: <\/strong>Technology synergising began with the IGMDP (1983)<\/strong> under A. P. J. Abdul Kalam<\/strong>. A five-laboratory <\/strong>\u201c<\/strong>missile cluster\u201d<\/strong> in Hyderabad pursued linked goals.<\/li>\n
    2. Strategic systems and derivatives<\/strong>: ASL<\/strong> developed Agni<\/strong> and Prithvi<\/strong>, the delivery end of nuclear deterrence<\/strong>. These evolved into ABM<\/strong>, ASAT<\/strong>, and MIRV <\/strong>capabilities.<\/li>\n
    3. Tactical missile stream<\/strong>: DRDL<\/strong> handled Trishul<\/strong> and Akash<\/strong> (anti-aircraft) and Nag<\/strong> (anti-tank). These became more capable tactical missiles <\/strong>over time.<\/li>\n
    4. Enabling laboratories: <\/strong>The IGMDP spawned a Young Scientists Laboratory<\/strong> for AI<\/strong> and quantum<\/strong>. RCI<\/strong> leads navigation, guidance\/homing, C2, high-temperature materials<\/strong>; TBRL<\/strong> focuses on warhead design<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Role of Industry in Strengthening Air Defence<\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. Trickle-down to industry: <\/strong>Public-sector advances now enter private products<\/strong>, widening India\u2019s defence manufacturing base.<\/li>\n
      2. CUMI\u2019<\/strong>s radome manufacturing<\/strong>: CUMI<\/strong> signed a technology transfer<\/strong> pact with DRDO to make ceramic radomes<\/strong>. This moves critical know-how<\/strong> into industry.<\/li>\n
      3. Ceramics for extreme regimes: <\/strong>Missile and aircraft radomes<\/strong> face extreme heating<\/strong>, including re-entry<\/strong>. Indian radomes use specialised DRDO-developed ceramics<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        What Should Be Done to Build a Stronger Shield<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. Rationale and partners: <\/strong>Beyond domestic synergy, India can collaborate with Israel<\/strong> for integrated defences against combined air operations <\/strong>like Operation Sindoor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        2. Iron Dome\u2019<\/strong>s cycle and costs<\/strong>: Iron Dome<\/strong> tracks threats within ~160 km<\/strong>. The Tamir interceptor<\/strong> flies at ~1 km\/s<\/strong>; unit cost fell from ~$100,000<\/strong> to ~$40\u201350,000<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        3. Progressive outer layers <\/strong>: Beyond Iron Dome<\/strong>, Israel employs THAAD<\/strong> to intercept ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere<\/strong> at up to ~200 km<\/strong>. David<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s Sling<\/strong> adds a farther layer<\/strong> with coverage to ~300 km<\/strong>. Arrow 3<\/strong> forms the outermost ring<\/strong>, defeating medium-range ballistic missiles<\/strong> at up to ~2,400 km<\/strong>. The layers engage progressively farther out<\/strong> to keep threats away from defended areas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          India\u2019<\/strong>s Approach to Collaborations<\/strong><\/h2>\n
            \n
          1. Joint development principle : <\/strong>In international co-development, India uses its strengths and partners for gaps<\/strong>. The workshare is fixed in advance<\/strong>, so each side knows what to build. India integrates the full system<\/strong>, so the final product is Indian<\/strong>. This approach keeps Indian capabilities strong<\/strong> while using the partner\u2019s expertise.<\/li>\n
          2. BrahMos experience: With Russia, India handled navigation and mission control on BrahMos. The partnership enabled co-development.<\/strong><\/li>\n
          3. LR-SAM discipline: <\/strong>For LR-SAM<\/strong> with Israel, India built the rear section<\/strong>; Israel provided the front section and seeker<\/strong>. India led integration<\/strong>, and collaboration is pursued only when no such product already exists<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

            The IADWS test proves India\u2019s capacity to integrate indigenous technologies into a ready defence system. Going ahead, expanding public\u2013private partnerships<\/strong>, ensuring cost-effective layered defence<\/strong>, and following clear collaboration rules<\/strong> will be key. Together, these steps can secure a resilient and self-reliant air defence shield<\/strong> for India.<\/p>\n

            Question for practice:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Discuss how the IADWS test reflects India\u2019s layered air defence strategy and the IGMDP-driven integration of technologies across DRDO and industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Source: The post Press freedom faces threats under misuse of new law has been created, based on the article \u201cA stronger air shield\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express\u201d on 28th August 2025. India strengthens layered air defence through integration. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Context: DRDO announced the maiden… Continue reading India strengthens layered air defence through integration<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":345480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230],"tags":[216,10500,242],"class_list":["post-345307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","tag-gs-paper-3","tag-indian-express","tag-science-and-technology","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/India-strengthens-layered-air-defence-through-integration.png?fit=1280%2C850&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=345307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345307\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/345480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=345307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=345307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}