Unseen Shield: Inside India’s Multi-Layered Air Defence That Made Borders Impenetrable

Image Source: The Economic Times

India's airspace is now "impossible to breach," the Indian Air Force (IAF) asserted, crediting this record level of security to strong budgetary and policy support from the central government. At a high-profile press conference in New Delhi, Air Marshal Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, underscored that India's air defence systems have created an impenetrable shield-one that even Pakistan was unable to breach during recent escalations.

Key Highlights:

Record Defence Budget: The Centre has provided a record ₹6.81 lakh crore for defence in the 2025-26 Union Budget, a 9.53% rise from last year. Of this, ₹1.8 lakh crore is set aside for military modernization, driving upgrades across the armed forces and representing 1.9% of India's estimated GDP.
S-400 'Sudarshan' Deployment: The IAF's advanced S-400 missile defence systems, which have been named "Sudarshan Chakra," have been strategically deployed on Pakistan and China borders. These systems were instrumental in countering a coordinated Pakistani drone and missile strike on May 7, thwarting threats to 15 cities in the north and bolstering India's multi-layered air defence.
Domestic and Integrated Systems: The S-400s are integrated with domestic platforms such as MR-SAM and Akash, and Israeli Spyder systems, making for a powerful, integrated air defence system.
Modernization Push: India's defense expenditure has doubled in the last decade to $86.1 billion in 2024-25-massively ahead of Pakistan's $10.2 billion. This budgetary outlay has facilitated purchases of cutting-edge aircraft, missile defense systems, and electronic warfare packages, as well as the development of key infrastructure such as airfields and radar networks.
Operational Success: The IAF air defence cover played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, foiling Pakistani attacks and protecting major cities, with debris of intercepted threats found at various places.

With government support and strategic investments continuing unabated, India's air defence is a global benchmark for security and technological sophistication.

Sources: Moneycontrol, Outlook Business, India Today, PIB

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