India’s own ‘Iron Dome’? What is ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ & how PM Modi plans to build the most powerful defence shield yet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday unveiled Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious project to develop an indigenous air defence system designed to protect India’s strategic, civilian, and nationally important sites from any potential enemy attack.Announcing the initiative during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Modi said the system would not only neutralise incoming threats but also deliver decisive counter-strikes, ensuring a rapid and precise response to any hostile action. The mission, he added, symbolises India’s commitment to strategic autonomy and self-reliance in defence.

A Shield Beyond the Iron Dome

Experts believe the upcoming system could be as advanced, if not more powerful, than Israel’s renowned Iron Dome, a multi-layered missile defence network known for intercepting aerial attacks with a claimed success rate of over 90 per cent. Deployed in the 2010s, the Iron Dome has thwarted thousands of rocket and missile strikes, including those launched by Hamas and Hezbollah.

India’s Sudarshan Chakra will integrate advanced surveillance, interception, and counter-strike capabilities, enabling swift neutralisation of threats in the air, on land, and at sea. The entire research, development, and manufacturing process will take place within India, with active involvement from the country’s youth.

Inspired by Mythology, Built for Modern Warfare

Modi drew inspiration from Lord Krishna’s legendary Sudarshan Chakra, known for its unerring precision. “The strength of the Sudarshan Chakra was its accuracy, it struck exactly where intended and returned to Lord Krishna. Similarly, our Sudarshan Chakra will ensure targeted, precise action,” he said.

The Prime Minister emphasised that dependence on foreign defence technologies undermines national independence. “It is unfortunate when dependence becomes a habit, a dangerous one. That is why we must remain aware and committed to becoming self-reliant,” he noted.

A Broader Security Context

The announcement comes amid heightened security concerns following reports that Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had hinted at targeting Indian assets along the border, including the Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, in the event of future conflict.India currently operates the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, but Sudarshan Chakra is expected to offer a much broader shield, protecting not only military bases but also vital civilian infrastructure.Notably, during Operation Sindoor, launched after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, Indian forces used indigenous defence systems to thwart multiple Pakistani aerial attacks, including suicide drone strikes, and dismantle terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Modi hailed the operation as proof of India’s ability to act decisively without relying on external powers.

Push for Indigenous Jet Engines

Alongside Mission Sudarshan Chakra, Modi urged India’s innovators and youth to develop jet engines domestically to power future fighter aircraft. The call comes amid delays in finalising a deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US defence major GE Aerospace, as well as missed deadlines for supplying engines for Tejas combat jets.

India’s earlier attempt, the Kaveri engine project launched in 1989, remains incomplete despite an expenditure of over Rs 2,000 crore. Modi’s renewed push signals a determination to ensure future defence platforms are entirely home-grown.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra is expected to be fully operational by 2035, marking a significant leap towards India’s goal of a robust, self-reliant defence capability, one that draws from its cultural heritage while meeting the demands of modern warfare.