Air Defence System

India announced that the Indian Armed Forces had "neutralised" an air defence system located in Lahore, Pakistan. India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence Systems successfully intercepted and neutralised those incoming threats. In retaliation, India struck back, targeting air defence radars and systems at various locations in Pakistan.

What is an Air Defence System?

• An air defence system is a multi-layered military setup used to detect, track, and neutralise aerial threats—such as enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones.
• These systems are critical for protecting cities, military installations, and strategic infrastructure.
• Core Components:
  • Radars – to detect and track incoming objects using radio waves.
  • Command and Control Units – to process information and decide whether to engage.
  • Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) – to intercept and destroy the threat in mid-air.
  • Jammers and Signal Disruptors – to confuse enemy guidance systems.
  • Alert Systems – including air raid sirens and communication networks.
• Working of the System:
  • Detection: Radar stations continuously monitor airspace for any suspicious or fast-moving object.
  • Identification: Once something is detected, systems assess whether it’s a friend or foe using identification protocols.
  • Engagement Decision: If identified as a threat, the system calculates:
    • How fast and high it is moving
    • What direction it's coming from
    • What kind of threat it is (missile, aircraft, drone, etc.)
  • Interception: A surface-to-air missile (SAM) or another weapon is launched. It either destroys the aircraft or missile, or detonates it mid-air before it can reach its target.

Note: A missile is self-propelled and guided, while a bomb typically falls freely under gravity. This distinction affects how air defences respond.

What does ‘Neutralised’ mean in Military Terms?

To neutralise an air defence system generally means that it has been:

• Destroyed
• Disabled or jammed
• Rendered inoperable through cyber or electronic warfare
• Targeted in a way that removes its ability to detect or respond to air threats

In this case, Lahore’s air defence system was likely taken out either physically (by missile/airstrike) or through electronic/cyber interference, making the city vulnerable to further aerial attacks, if India chose to proceed.