The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully neutralised a large-scale drone and missile attack by Pakistan following India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, leveraging a multi-tiered air defence network.
India’s air defence system shot down Pakistan’s F-16 aircraft after Islamabad launched attacks at multiple locations in Jammu and Punjab. India has likely knocked down Pakistan’s JF-17 jet as well, government sources said.
The air defence network comprised the Akash, MRSAM, and Zu-23 systems.
The integrated grid, activated across 1,800 km of airspace, intercepted swarms of drones and missiles targeting 15 military installations, including bases in Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, and Bhuj.
Akash: Indigenous Medium-Range Shield
The Akash missile system, developed domestically by DRDO, played a pivotal role with its 45–70 km range and ability to engage multiple threats simultaneously.
Equipped with a 60 kg high-explosive warhead and advanced guidance systems, the Akash-NG variant demonstrated its prowess against low-altitude drones and loitering munitions, achieving a 100% interception rate in recent tests.
Its mobility and electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) ensured rapid deployment to conflict zones, disrupting Pakistan’s drone swarms.
MRSAM: Long-Range Precision
The Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), a collaborative effort with Israel, provided extended coverage up to 70–100 km.
Integrated with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command & Control System (IACCS), the network-centric MRSAM tracked and engaged high-speed targets like cruise missiles, complementing the Akash’s medium-range capabilities.
Its active radar homing and vertical launch system enabled precise strikes against evolving threats.
Zu-23: Close-In Defense
For terminal interception, the IAF deployed Zu-23-2 twin-barreled anti-aircraft guns, effective at 2–3 km ranges.
These guns, though older, provided a cost-effective last layer of defence, shredding low-flying drones that breached outer missile layers.
The IAF’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid fused radar data from IACCS with Akash, MRSAM, and Zu-23 deployments, enabling real-time threat prioritization.
Jamming and spoofing systems further disrupted Pakistani drones’ navigation, rendering them ineffective. This layered approach ensured no hostile asset breached Indian airspace, with debris of intercepted drones found across Jammu, Punjab, and Gujarat.
India had previously used the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra, acquired from Russia, to thwart earlier attacks from Pakistan in the day.
As tensions persist, India’s reliance on indigenous systems like Akash, coupled with strategic imports like MRSAM, underscores its capability to dominate the aerial battleground while minimizing collateral damage.
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