By Vaibhav Agrawal The recent setback experienced by Israel s Iron Dome anti-missile system has ignited discussions within global strategic circles about the reliability of these defence systems Questions are arising regarding whether anti-missile systems can truly guarantee foolproof protection against enemy missile attacks, especially given the substantial financial investments involved While Israel contends that the Iron Dome has reduced casualties, there is a valid concern that even a single nuclear missile breach could fulfil an adversary s objectives The recent events in which Palestinian militant group Hamas rained rockets upon heavily fortified Israeli cities have revealed that the Iron Dome can face challenges when dealing with a barrage of missile launches In situations where an adversary is determined to cause harm, simultaneous missile launches could be an effective strategy Despite these limitations, many countries continue to deploy anti-missile systems This underscores the need for more effective air defence systems in two key ways Firstly, there is a requirement for a broader array of defensive weapons capable of countering a large number of threats Secondly, efforts must be made to reduce the cost per defensive weapon significantly After three decades of steadfast progress in its ballistic missile development program, India now possesses a diverse range of missile systems, from the short-range 350-km Prithvi to the formidable long-range Agni-5, with a reach of 5,000 km while Agni-6 is estimated to be India s ultimate range ICBM i e 10,000+ kms These capabilities serve as a significant deterrent for potential adversaries, underlining India s readiness to respond swiftly if threatened Nevertheless, as more countries acquire such long-range ballistic missiles, the imperative for a reliable defensive system to shield the nation from high-speed missiles armed with conventional or nuclear warheads remains evident In response to this need, several developed countries, including the United States, Russia, and Israel, have taken proactive measures by deploying their own ballistic missile defence systems over the past few decades The United States has implemented a multi-tiered defence strategy, featuring Advanced Patriot, THAAD, and AEGIS anti-missile systems stationed at various strategic locations Similarly, Russia has unveiled its cutting-edge S-400 anti-missile systems, showcasing their commitment to safeguarding their territory and assets Meanwhile, Israel, despite its relatively compact size, has prioritised its defence against rocket and missile threats from entities like Hamas and Iran, deploying systems such as the Iron Dome and ARROW India s Position in the race of Anti-Missile Systems India initiated its indigenous missile defence program in 2000, particularly spurred by the 1999 Kargil war This program takes on increasing significance as India s principal adversaries, Pakistan and China, continue to pose threats with their long-range ballistic missiles China, in particular, poses a deepening threat to India with its long-range ballistic missiles, and its transfer of medium-range ballistic missiles to Pakistan further complicates the situation In response to these concerns, India sought to acquire Russia s advanced S-400 anti-missile systems as an interim measure The introduction of the S-400 missile defence system in India has the potential to be a transformative and game-changing asset for the country This advanced system possesses formidable on-paper capabilities in the realms of defence and, potentially, offensive anti-access and area denial It is designed to effectively counter a wide range of threats, including aircraft, UAVs, and both ballistic and cruise missiles Notably, its capability to neutralise cruise missiles has significant implications for countering Pakistan s nuclear deterrent The S-400 system s comprehensive coverage is achieved through a combination of missiles, each tailored to different ranges These missiles range from the 40-kilometre 9M96E to the impressive 400-kilometre 40N6E, enabling it to safeguard vast areas, high-value targets, and itself from various types of attacks The high mobility and rapid operational readiness of the S-400 system make it highly adaptable and challenging to detect Its ability to become operational within five minutes of arriving at a new location allows for regular relocation, reducing the risk of discovery Nonetheless, it is essential to heed aerospace experts caution against both underestimating and overestimating the capabilities of the S-400 While it is a powerful asset, its real-world effectiveness depends on various factors and operational considerations Its true impact on India s defence will be realised through careful deployment, coordination, and adaptability in response to evolving threats The acquisition of five Russian S-400 anti-missile systems at a substantial cost highlighted the Indian defence planners lack of confidence in their domestically developed anti-missile systems—Prithvi Air Defence Missile (PAD) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile The PAD was designed for high-altitude interception, while the AAD was tailored for lower altitude interception This two-tiered defence system aimed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles with a range of up to 5,000 km The system comprises an interconnected network of early warning and tracking radars, along with command and control posts While PAD was successfully tested in November 2006 and AAD a year later, India has not yet deployed these indigenously developed systems to defend its vital cities and locations In pursuit of self-reliance, the Indian government has tasked the DRDO with developing the Long Range Surface to Air Missile System (LR-SAM) under the Kusha project DRDO officials assert that the interceptor missile created under this program could rival the capabilities of the S-400 anti-missile systems, three of which have already been acquired and deployed along the northern borders As reported by the media, the defence ministry has approved funding for five LR-SAM squadrons, amounting to Rs 22,000 crore These anti-missiles are designed to address a wide range of aerial targets, including missiles and aircraft, at a maximum range of 350 km However, the effectiveness of such anti-missile systems has come into question during the recent Israel-Hamas conflict Project Kusha In the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Iron Dome air defence system has garnered significant attention for its advanced capabilities in intercepting rockets from a considerable distance India is now embarking on a similar, if not more advanced, endeavour with its inaugural air defence system slated for deployment by 2028-29 Reports indicate that India s indigenous long-range air defence system, known as Project Kusha, is currently in development under the auspices of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) This system is being engineered to detect and neutralise a wide array of enemy projectiles and assets, including cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, and drones, even at extended ranges Proponents of this ambitious project assert that it will not only rival the performance of Israel s Iron Dome system but also potentially match or exceed the effectiveness of Russia s S-400 system and the United States Patriot system, as claimed by officials involved The indigenous long-range surface-to-air defence system (LR-SAM) encompasses state-of-the-art long-range surveillance and fire control radars, complemented by interceptor missiles with capabilities to engage hostile targets at distances of 150 km, 200 km, and 350 km The system is also anticipated to offer strategic and tactical cover Reportedly, the system boasts a single-shot kill probability of at least 80%, which climbs to over 90% when two missiles are sequentially launched The integration of surveillance and fire control radars will equip the Indian Air Force (IAF) with robust airspace monitoring and defence capabilities against potential enemy strikes Furthermore, the firing units of the LR-SAM system will have the capability to seamlessly interact with the IAF s air command and control system, integrating a wide spectrum of military radars In essence, this indigenous iteration of the Iron Dome system is poised to significantly elevate India s defence capabilities, ensuring the safety of Indian airspace by detecting and effectively targeting hostile forces from considerable distances India s forthcoming missile defence system, the LR-SAM under Project Kusha, appears poised to outshine the Israeli Iron Dome system in several critical aspects While the Iron Dome excels at intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells up to 70 km, the DRDO-developed LR-SAM offers an extended reach, capable of neutralising missiles and aircraft at longer distances Furthermore, a notable advantage of the Indian system is its counter-stealth capability, a feature absent in the Iron Dome The security dynamics in India s neighbourhood, particularly concerning China, make such advancements vital China s reported deployment of missile batteries along the Indo-Tibetan border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), poses a substantial challenge The ability of China to launch missiles at India underscores the necessity for high-tech and precision-guided air defence systems The LR-SAM s longer range and counter-stealth capabilities represent critical advancements in safeguarding Indian airspace against evolving threats, especially from neighbouring nations like China The author is a passionate independent journalist with a keen focus on Space and Defence Affairs He can be reached at vaibhavmag1@gmail com & he tweets @VaibhavMAG Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited - Defence News
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