India’s air defence network is a sophisticated, multi-layered system designed to protect against threats ranging from low-flying drones to high-altitude ballistic missiles. Its strategic architecture features the powerful S-400 Triumf, the indigenous Akash Missile System, and close-range defences like the L-70 anti-aircraft guns. Compared to this, Israel’s Iron Dome excels in intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, especially in dense urban scenarios, but lacks the broader range India’s defence possesses.
The S-400, acquired from Russia, is one of the world’s most advanced surface-to-air missile systems. It can track threats as far as 600 km and intercept targets up to 400 km away, defending against aircraft, cruise missiles, and even ballistic projectiles. The system combines a powerful radar array with multiple missile types, forming a near-impenetrable shield around vital assets.
At the mid-range tier, India relies heavily on the Akash Missile System, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). With a range of around 30 km, Akash can track and engage multiple aerial targets simultaneously. Its integration with the Rajendra radar ensures precision targeting and real-time threat analysis. The system has evolved into newer versions like Akash-1S, Akash Prime, and Akash-NG, with each bringing greater range, mobility, and accuracy.
For low-altitude defence, India uses the L-70 anti-aircraft gun, a Swedish-origin system upgraded indigenously. These 40mm guns are effective against drones, helicopters, and other low-flying threats, especially when paired with modern fire-control systems.
While Israel’s Iron Dome is a technological marvel with a proven track record of over 90% success in neutralizing short-range rockets, it’s optimized for short distances (4–70 km) and is primarily designed for urban defence. It calculates whether a rocket will hit a populated area and only intercepts those that pose an actual threat — making it efficient and cost-effective. However, it does not offer the long-range, layered protection India’s systems provide.
India’s recent defensive response to Pakistan’s large-scale drone and missile attack on the night of 8 and 9 May showcased the synergy of its air defence architecture. As Pakistani drones and missiles targeted 15 locations across northern and western India, including cities like Jammu, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, Indian forces activated systems such as Akashteer ADCRS, Barak 8, and Akash. The Akashteer, often dubbed India’s “Iron Dome,” is an indigenous command-and-control system that fuses data from radar sources to track and destroy aerial threats with precision. The Indian Air Force and Army’s joint response included the use of HARPY drones, anti-aircraft artillery like L-70 and Zu-23, and short-range SAM systems like SAMAR and SPYDER.
The Pakistani assault was effectively neutralized — Indian forces reportedly intercepted more than eight missiles and over two dozen drones, with minimal or no damage on Indian soil. Surface-to-air missile systems and integrated C-UAS grids proved vital in taking down threats, including two Pakistani fighter jets — one of which was an American-made F-16. The comprehensive defence effort highlighted India’s multi-domain preparedness and technical superiority.
Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao
India’s air defence system is more layered and versatile, designed for battlefield and strategic defence across a variety of altitudes and ranges. This complexity owes a great deal to the visionary leadership and scientific excellence of Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao, a legendary DRDO scientist.
Born in Karnataka into a humble family, Dr. Prahlada’s life journey is the stuff of inspiration. After completing his engineering degree, he had job offers from BEL and VSSC, but at his mother’s insistence, he went on to pursue higher studies at the prestigious IISc Bangalore. While at IISc, another offer came—this time from DRDL Hyderabad, a DRDO missile lab. There, he met Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the man who would become a lifelong mentor and collaborator. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dr. Kalam and a team of brilliant minds, including Dr. Prahlada, proposed an audacious plan: the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It envisioned the development of five missile systems—Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and Nag—with a then-unimaginable budget of ₹300 crore.
Thanks to the support of Defence Minister R. Venkataraman and Scientific Advisor Dr. V.S. Arunachalam, the program was fully approved in 1983. This was a turning point in India’s defence history. Dr. Prahlada, then in his early 30s, was handpicked to lead the Akash missile project, a testament to Kalam’s trust in his abilities. Akash, due to its complexity, was allotted a significant portion of the IGMDP budget. With years of relentless R&D, Akash became India’s premier surface-to-air defence system. In trials beginning in 1990, it began to demonstrate its power. By 2005, it had successfully intercepted fast-moving aerial targets, and by 2023, it was capable of simultaneously neutralizing multiple threats.
Dr. Prahlada often referred to Akash as his “baby,” and witnessing it in action was one of the proudest moments of his life. After retiring from DRDO in the 2000s, he became Vice-Chancellor of a defence technology university in Pune and started working on a Cold Fusion Reactor—a potentially revolutionary solution to global energy challenges. Cold fusion, long considered a scientific frontier, has eluded most nations due to its complexity and secrecy. Yet Dr. Prahlada, driven by the same passion that defined his missile work, is leading this breakthrough effort, now awaiting support and funding.
Today, Dr. Prahlada stands as one of India’s greatest unsung scientific heroes. He played a central role not just in Akash, but also contributed to the BrahMos missile, among others. Awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, he is a beacon of what one determined mind can achieve for a nation. As India continues to modernize its military, it builds upon the legacy of scientists like him—visionaries who transformed India from a technology importer to a missile superpower. A grateful nation salutes Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao—the man who not only dreamed of India’s defence self-reliance but made it a reality.
(With inputs from OpIndia)
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