Air Marshal Dixit: India’s Sudarshan Chakra Will Be ‘Mother Of All Air Defence Systems’

India is working on an ambitious, multi-layered air defence initiative that will integrate counter-drone, counter-UAV, and counter-hypersonic systems into a single umbrella framework, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit announced on September 23, 2025.

Speaking at a conference on ‘Counter UAVs & Air Defence Systems: Future of Modern Warfare,’ Air Marshal Dixit described the proposed system, codenamed Sudarshan Chakra, as the “mother of all air defence systems combined,” designed to serve as a game-changer for India’s security environment.

Is this a response to emerging threats?

Dixit underlined that the adversary had already drawn lessons from India’s Operation Sindoor, conducted earlier this year, and stressed that the armed forces must stay “two steps ahead” in strategic thinking and technological adoption.

He cited global examples such as the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, where inexpensive drones inflicted heavy losses on sophisticated military assets, to highlight the urgency of evolving India’s defences.

“Certain drones we caught during Operation Sindoor were sophisticated, using AI and visual navigation. Even when we jammed their GPS, they managed to reach their targets. These systems are improving, and we must always aim to be a step ahead,” he cautioned.

How is modern warfare chessboard played?

Comparing the evolution of drone warfare to a “game of chess,” Dixit said adversaries would continue to adapt, forcing India to continuously innovate. He emphasised the need for what he termed an “innovation adaptation cycle,” driven not just by the armed forces but also by India’s industry, academia, and strategic think-tanks.

“Just like Make in India, we must now start Think in India,” Dixit said. “Our job is to ideate, anticipate, and outpace the adversary’s capabilities.”

What are the layers of the Sudarshan Chakra?

The proposed Sudarshan Chakra will be built on multiple defensive layers. At the base will be counter-drone technologies, aimed at neutralising small and swarming UAVs. Above this will sit counter-UAV systems with broader reach, followed by counter-hypersonic capabilities to protect against next-generation missiles and aircraft.

While details remain classified, Dixit confirmed that the system is still in the ideation phase but promised that the eventual framework would be “all-encompassing” and capable of addressing both current and emerging aerial threats.

How are the industry and military synergising?

The conference, attended by senior officers, defence experts, and industry leaders, reflected the growing convergence between India’s armed forces and domestic industry in the development of cutting-edge security solutions. Officials indicated that the private sector is expected to play a crucial role in co-developing technologies for Sudarshan Chakra.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier described the project as India’s future “aerial guard,” underlining its strategic importance for national security.

As India positions itself to counter both conventional and asymmetric threats, Sudarshan Chakra is set to become a defining element of the country’s military preparedness in the decades ahead.