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.
India’s Air Defence Systems
- India has three kinds of defence systems
- Long range, with a reach of between 40 to 4,000 km.
- S-400 is India’s long-range defence system. The S-400 Triumf can intercept cruise missiles or aircraft at altitudes of up to 30 kilometres.
- Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD): BMD involves the Prithvi Air Defence for intercepting and destroying missiles outside the Earth's atmosphere. It can strike targets at a speed of Mach 5 and has a range of up to 2,000 km.
- The Advanced Air Defence for lower altitude targets, which can strike targets at an altitude of 15 to 30 km and has a range of up to 300 km.
- India is also developing a homegrown defense system called Project Kusha, a programme under the DRDO and a long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) that aims to be on par with the S-400 or the Iron Dome.
- Medium-range systems, with a reach of 30 to 70 km.
- Akash-NG: It is designed by DRDO to intercept and destroy high-speed aerial threats like fighter jets, drones, and cruise missiles at ranges up to 70 km. It is served by the Rajendra III radar, which is the primary sensor for the Akash weapon system.
- Besides these homegrown systems, India also has the Barak-8, jointly developed with Israel, which is a surface-to-air missile that counters airborne threats like aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, and even short-range ballistic missiles.
- Short-range systems, which hit targets between 30 to 70 km.
- India relies on the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) for rapid response and to protect moving armoured columns from aerial attacks.
- India has also procured the Spyder defence system from Israel, which is armed with Python and Derby missiles.
- Radar & Command Systems: India’s airspace is constantly monitored by:
- Swordfish Radar – long-range detection used in BMD.
- Rajendra III Radar – for Akash system, tracks multiple threats.
- The entire system is coordinated by the Akashteer system, which digitally integrates radar data for real-time decision-making and reduces the risk of friendly fire. This mobile system is capable of functioning even if communications are disrupted.
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