Article published on the Chanakya Forum Site.
CHANGING DYNAMICS OF AIR DEFENCE OPERATIONS AND THE WAY AHEAD
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, during the Air Force Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on 26 Oct 23, pointed out that new trends have emerged in the field of air warfare, and there is a need to analyse and learn from them to strengthen defence preparedness. He urged the IAF to focus on strengthening air defence systems, using drones, and making headway in aerospace to protect India’s air domain.
On 07 Oct 23, Hamas-led militant groups attacked Israel, infiltrating using powered para-gliders under the barrage of several thousand rockets. In the ongoing war, Iran launched Operation ‘True Promise’ on 13 Apr 24, firing hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at Israel. It is reported that the salvo deployed by Iran comprised more than 30 cruise missiles, at least 120 ballistic missiles and 170 drones. The attack, it is suspected, was aimed at overwhelming Israel’s air defences. However, Israel claims to have shot down most of the incoming projectiles. Israel’s multi-tiered air defence system consists of various components, including man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), short-range air defence systems (SHORADS), Spyder air defence system, Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Patriot air defence system, Arrow anti-ballistic missiles, Iron Beam and the naval air defence system or C-Dome. In the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, the skirmishes now are mainly in the form of attacks on each other by long-range vectors and armed drones. There have been reports about the use of hypersonic weapons (Zircon and Kinzhal missiles) by Russia. These developments indicate the likely threats air defence would have to deal with.
Air Defence (AD) operations have undergone extensive transformation in recent years. The development of new threats and technologies has triggered these changes. Research is underway on new technologies, such as Quantum computing, Artificial Intelligence, Hypersonics, Nanotechnologies, and Unmanned systems, which will also have a transformational impact on AD. A Review of the concept of AD operations is advisable to take stock of the present situation and crystal-gaze into the future.
AD Perspective
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