L&T, defence firms eye counter-drone tech as Sudarshan Chakra mission takes off

India has begun groundwork on Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a 2035 air-defence and counter-drone shield for cities and critical assets, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday said work has begun on Mission Sudarshan Chakra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new national air-defence and offensive capability programme, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and population centres through a modernised, multi-layered shield.

Speaking at ANI’s National Security Summit, Singh said the mission will integrate air-defence and offensive systems and rely on new technologies to strengthen India’s ability to counter threats from missiles, drones and cross-border attacks.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, added that while armed forces are responsible for threats originating 'from across the border,' stadiums, refineries and civilian installations will need to deploy their own anti-drone systems for domestic, small-drone threats.

The remarks come amid renewed focus on air-defence vulnerabilities following Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s threat to target the Jamnagar refinery in a future conflict. The comments also follow a spate of drone incursions and the rapid evolution of low-cost unmanned systems worldwide.

Singh said Mission Sudarshan Chakra will remain a priority and will be executed through a mix of Make in India, imports and IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) programmes.

“The Prime Minister has announced the Sudarshan Chakra Mission… Work has started on adding value to the multi-layered air defence system that we already have with more modern technologies,” he said, according to ANI.

A committee under DRDO and Air Marshal Dixit will prepare a DPR or feasibility report. Singh said the mission will be fully funded from defence CapEx to ensure “all critical infrastructure, population centres, etc, are fully protected in a reasonably time-bound manner.”

Dixit said the armed forces are creating counter-UAS grids and integrated air-defence systems. While small drones used for nuisance or confusion must be tackled by local installations, he said, the military will manage all threats “coming from across the border.”

He added that cheap drones will play a future role in warfare by creating decision dilemmas but “will not be able to decide the course of war,” unless disruptive new technology emerges.

L&T’s Arun T Ramchandani said Indian firms are tracking global trends and investing in counter-drone systems, from jamming and spoofing to hard-kill mechanisms. He noted that while companies have not yet invested in infrastructure-specific protection systems, the doctrinal framework will 'evolve,' and industry will respond as required.

Singh said private-sector involvement in protecting assets like Jamnagar refinery 'has not been thought about' yet and remains a sovereign responsibility.

Announced in the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech, Mission Sudarshan Chakra is a futuristic 2035 roadmap with three core goals:

• Develop, design and manufacture the entire system in India.
• Use predictive technologies to prepare for future warfare scenarios.
• Build precise, targeted counter-action systems to neutralise enemy infiltrations.

The mission is intended to offer a comprehensive national security shield for both strategic and civilian assets.