India’s Air Defence System

1.Akash Missile System

• Type: Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)

• Developer: DRDO & Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)

• Induction Year: 2007

• Quantity: ~15-20 squadrons ordered

• Range: 25–30 km (Akash-1); up to 70 km (Akash-NG)

• Altitude: Up to 18 km

• Speed: Mach 2.5

• Seeker: Akash-1 (command guidance), Akash-NG (active RF seeker)

• Mobility: Fully mobile, tracked and wheeled platforms

• Deployment: Deployed along western and northeastern borders

• Capability: Can engage multiple targets, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, and UAVs.

2. Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) & Advanced Air Defence (AAD)

• Type: Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)

• Developer: DRDO

• System Layer:

  • PAD: Exo-atmospheric interceptor (50–80 km altitude)

  • AAD: Endo-atmospheric interceptor (15–30 km altitude)

• Speed: Mach 5+

• Radar: Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar (range ~600 km)

• Status: Under testing and limited deployment; part of India’s two-tier BMD program

• Capability: Intercepts incoming ballistic missiles in both high and low altitudes.

3. Spyder (Surface-to-air Python and Derby)

• Type: Short and Medium Range SAM

• Origin: Israel (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems)

• Induction Year: 2017

• Quantity: ~18–20 units (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile, QRSAM)

• Range:

  • Spyder-SR: 15 km

  • Spyder-MR: 35–50 km

• Seeker: Active radar & electro-optical seekers

• Targets: Aircraft, UAVs, precision-guided munitions

• Mobility: Truck-mounted, highly mobile

• Deployment: Eastern and western frontiers

• Notable Feature: 360-degree engagement using dual missiles — Python-5 and Derby.

4. Barak-8 / LR-SAM / MR-SAM

• Type: Medium to Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

• Joint Development: DRDO & Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

• Induction Year: 2016 (Navy), 2021 (Army & Air Force)

• Quantity: Over 1000 missiles + 40–50 launchers across services

• Range: 70–100 km (Barak-8 ER: up to 150 km)

• Speed: Mach 2+

• Seeker: Active radar homing

• Mobility: Naval and land-based variants

• Deployment: Navy destroyers, land-based air defense of strategic sites

• Capability: Designed to counter aircraft, missiles, and drones with pinpoint accuracy.

5. S-400 Triumf

• Type: Long-Range Air Defence System

• Origin: Russia (Almaz-Antey)

• Induction Year: 2021

• Quantity: 5 regiments ordered

• Status: 3 regiments delivered (as of early 2025)

• Range:

  • 40N6 missile: 400 km

  • 48N6: 250 km

  • 9M96E2: 120 km

  • 9M96E: 40 km

• Altitude: Up to 30 km

• Radar: Multiple types including 91N6E Big Bird, 92N6E Grave Stone

• Deployment: Critical regions including Delhi, Punjab, and Northeast

• Capability: Simultaneous tracking of 300+ targets; engagement of 36 at once.

6. Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS)

• Type: Networked Command and Control

• Developer: Bharat Electronics Ltd

• Purpose: Integration of all air defense assets under one umbrella

• Components: Radar, communications, electronic warfare systems

• Coverage: Pan-India (11+ control centers)

• Capability: Real-time situational awareness and coordinated interception

• Status: Fully operational

7. Other Systems in Development/Use

a. VL-SRSAM (Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile)

• Developer: DRDO

• Use: Naval ships & land-based air defense

• Range: ~40 km

• Status: Trials completed, induction underway

b. XRSAM (Extended Range SAM)

• Planned Range: ~250 km

• Purpose: To bridge the gap between MR-SAM and S-400

• Status: Under development

c. Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM)

• Range: 30 km

• Purpose: To replace aging OSA-AK and Kvadrat systems

• Status: Undergoing final tests before induction