Skip to main content

India’s Air Defence System Decoded – Complete UPSC Prelims Notes on Akash, S-400, SPYDER & Ballistic Missile Defence

 

India’s Air Defence System – Comprehensive UPSC Prelims Notes

1. Air Defence System

  • India exported the indigenous Akash Air Defence System to Armenia, marking a major step in defence exports.

  • India is strengthening its multi-layered air defence network amid regional security challenges.

  • Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.

2. What is an Air Defence System

An Air Defence System is an integrated network of radars, missiles, sensors, and command centres designed to detect, track, and destroy enemy aerial threats.

Threats addressed

  • Fighter aircraft

  • Drones and UAVs

  • Cruise missiles

  • Ballistic missiles

  • Helicopters

  • Low-flying stealth aircraft

Objectives

  • Protect cities and population centres

  • Protect air bases and strategic assets

  • Protect nuclear installations

  • Maintain deterrence capability

3. Multi-Layered Air Defence Architecture

India follows a layered defence model where multiple defence rings protect the country.

Layers by Range

LayerRangeRole
Short Range0–30 kmLast line defence
Medium Range30–100 kmRegional defence
Long Range100–400 kmStrategic defence
Ballistic Missile DefenceExo and Endo atmosphericMissile interception

Importance

  • No system is foolproof.

  • If a threat escapes one layer, the next layer intercepts it.

  • Provides redundancy and survivability.

4. Short Range Air Defence Systems (SRAD)

Role

  • Last line of defence.

  • Protects air bases, mobile army units, and border regions.

  • Effective against low-flying aircraft, drones, and helicopters.

Characteristics

  • Quick reaction time

  • Mobile launchers

  • High accuracy at short distances

Important SRAD Systems

SPYDER

  • Full form: Surface-to-Air Python and Derby.

  • Origin: Israel

  • Range: About 15–20 km.

  • Features:

    • Fire-on-the-move capability

    • Quick reaction system

    • All-weather performance

  • Used for protecting mobile forces and air bases.

Akash-1S

  • Indigenous short-range variant of Akash.

  • Developed by DRDO.

  • Range: Around 25–30 km.

  • Features:

    • Radar and command guidance

    • Can track multiple targets

    • Electronic counter-counter measures capability.

MANPADS

  • Full form: Man Portable Air Defence System.

  • Example: Igla‑S

  • Shoulder-fired missile using infrared homing.

  • Effective in mountainous and border warfare.

5. Medium Range Air Defence Systems (MRAD)

Role

  • Protect cities, large air bases, and strategic installations.

  • Intercept aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.

Important MRAD Systems

Akash Missile System

  • Range: About 45 km.

  • Speed: Mach 2.5+.

  • Fully indigenous.

  • Radar: Rajendra phased array radar.

  • Exported to Armenia.

Features

  • All-weather capability

  • Day-night operation

  • Cost-effective compared to foreign systems

  • Backbone of India’s MRAD network

MRSAM / Barak-8

  • Joint development between DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries.

  • Range: Around 70 km.

  • Active radar seeker.

  • Used by Army, Navy, and Air Force.

  • Effective against sea-skimming missiles.

6. Long Range Air Defence Systems

S-400 Triumph

  • Origin: Russia

  • Range: Up to 400 km.

  • Radar detection range: Around 600 km.

  • Tracks more than 300 targets simultaneously.

Targets

  • Aircraft

  • AWACS

  • Cruise missiles

  • Ballistic missiles

  • Drones

Importance

  • Strategic deterrence system.

  • Protects large geographic regions.

  • First line of defence.

7. Ballistic Missile Defence Programme

India has a two-tier Ballistic Missile Defence system.

PAD – Prithvi Air Defence

  • Exo-atmospheric interception.

  • Intercepts ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere.

AAD – Advanced Air Defence

  • Endo-atmospheric interception.

  • Intercepts missiles inside the atmosphere.

Importance

  • Designed to protect against nuclear missile attacks.

  • Provides additional security for major cities.

8. Radar and Command Network

Phased Array Radar

  • Multiple antennas.

  • Tracks multiple targets simultaneously.

Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS)

  • Connects radars across India.

  • Provides real-time air situation picture.

Satellite Early Warning Systems

  • Detect missile launches early.

9. Why India Needs Multiple Air Defence Systems

Different threats require different systems.

ThreatSuitable Defence
Drone attackMANPADS / SPYDER
Aircraft strikeAkash / MRSAM
Strategic air attackS-400
Nuclear ballistic missilePAD / AAD

Layered defence ensures complete protection.

 Key Facts for UPSC Prelims

  • Akash missile developed by DRDO.

  • SPYDER system from Israel.

  • S-400 from Russia.

  • MRSAM jointly developed by India and Israel.

  • PAD intercepts outside atmosphere.

  • AAD intercepts inside atmosphere.

 Possible UPSC Prelims Questions

  1. Which country developed the SPYDER air defence system.

  2. Akash missile belongs to which range category.

  3. Difference between PAD and AAD.

  4. Maximum interception range of S-400.

  5. MRSAM is jointly developed by India and which country.

One-Page Revision Summary

India’s air defence is a multi-layered network combining short-range, medium-range, long-range, and ballistic missile defence systems to protect the country from aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Key systems include SPYDER, Akash, MRSAM, S-400, PAD, and AAD.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Current Affairs from The Hindu – 18 March 2026 PDF: LPG Crisis, NMDC, Iron Ore & HSV (UPSC Prelims Notes)

 The Hindu – 18 March 2026  1. Electrification of Cooking (LPG Crisis & Energy Security) 4 Background India is heavily dependent on energy imports: Crude oil → ~88% import dependent LPG → ~60% import dependent LPG imports largely come from West Asia (Persian Gulf region). Geopolitical tensions (e.g., Strait of Hormuz disruptions) threaten supply chains. Importance for UPSC Links with: Energy security Climate change commitments Fiscal burden (subsidies) Current geopolitical developments Key Facts Annual LPG import cost → ~$26.4 billion LPG connections → ~332 million ~37% households still rely on biomass fuels LPG vs Electric Cooking Efficiency: LPG → 40–55% Electric (Induction) → 85–90% Monthly Cost: LPG → ₹900–1100 Electric → ₹620–640 Advantages of Electric Cooking Reduces import dependency Enhances energy security Supports renewable energy use Eliminates indoor air pollution Safer (no open flame) Challenges Peak electricity demand (morning/evening) Grid stress (India peak...
Post a Comment
Read more

Daily Current Affairs – 7 March 2026 | The Hindu Analysis for UPSC: Minuteman III Missile, Gravity Bombs, Mark-48 Torpedo & Finland

  UPSC Current Affairs Notes The Hindu Analysis – 7 March 2026 1. Minuteman III Missile (USA) Background The Minuteman III (LGM-30G) is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed and operated by the United States Air Force . It forms a crucial component of the United States' nuclear deterrence strategy . First deployed in 1970 during the Cold War as part of the strategic competition between the USA and the Soviet Union . It is a land-based nuclear missile system , stored in underground silos across several US states. Key Features of Minuteman III Type: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Platform: Underground silo-based launch system Developer: Douglas Aircraft Company (later part of Boeing) Range: Approximately 9,600 km – 13,000 km Speed: Around Mach 23 (about 23 times the speed of sound) Payload: Capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads Guidance: Inertial guidance system Why is it called a “Doo...
Post a Comment
Read more

UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes – 23 February 2026 The Hindu news paper

 UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes – 23 February 2026 The Hindu news paper  1. India–Brazil Relations – Key Developments India and Brazil are strengthening bilateral relations through trade, minerals cooperation, and renewable energy partnerships. Basic Facts Diplomatic relations established in 1948 . Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America . Current bilateral trade: around $12–13 billion . Target set by both countries: $20–30 billion trade by 2030 . Why Brazil is Important for India Both are major democracies of the Global South . Both support multilateralism and reform of global institutions. Important partners in: BRICS G20 IBSA Dialogue Forum WTO negotiations. Recent Agreements Signed Critical Minerals Cooperation Brazil has rich deposits of iron ore, rare earth elements , nickel, and bauxite. These minerals are essential for EV batteries, semiconductors, solar panels, electronics, and defence equipme...
Post a Comment
Read more