New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Friday, unveiled plans for an advanced indigenous air-defence system dubbed “Sudarshan Chakra”, aimed at safeguarding critical national assets and responding decisively to potential enemy strikes.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of heightened security concerns linked to both Pakistan and China. While Modi refrained from revealing detailed specifications, defence analysts suggest the system may be conceptually similar to Israel’s renowned Iron Dome, which provides an all-weather missile interception capability.
The Prime Minister drew a symbolic parallel to the mythological Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna, underscoring the blend of India’s cultural heritage with cutting-edge defence innovation. He described the mission as a strategic step towards rapid, precise, and autonomous countermeasures against hostile threats.
Alongside the air-defence initiative, Modi called upon India’s youth and innovators to accelerate the development of indigenous jet engines for fighter aircraft. His appeal comes amid reported delays in a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US defence giant GE Aerospace, which has slowed the production of Tejas combat jets for the Indian Air Force.
India’s quest for a home-grown jet engine dates back more than three decades, with the Kaveri project, sanctioned in 1989. Despite investments exceeding Rs 2,000 crore, the project remains incomplete, highlighting the challenges of defence self-reliance.
The Sudarshan Chakra plan follows recent statements by Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, who allegedly hinted at targeting Indian installations, including Gujarat’s Jamnagar refinery, in the event of hostilities.
Modi also praised Operation Sindoor, carried out after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, as a testament to India’s capability to act independently using domestically manufactured weaponry. He stressed that the country’s national security must be anchored in self-sufficiency, free from dependence on foreign suppliers.
The Defence Ministry is expected to release further details of Mission Sudarshan Chakra in the coming months, with development set to prioritise both offensive and defensive capabilities to strengthen India’s strategic posture.
