S-400, Spyder, Akash: India's air defence systems explained amid soaring tensions with Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Armed forces on Thursday shot down over 50 swarm drones through its air defence system as Pakistan attempted to breach the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders.

Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous cease fire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir," Army said in a post on X.

"The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs," it added.

Army air defence units deployed advanced weaponry including L-70 guns, Zu-23mm systems, Schilka systems, and specialized counter-UAS equipment across multiple sectors including Udhampur, Samba, Jammu, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Pathankot.

What is an air defence system?

Air Defence Systems are advanced military installations designed to protect against aerial threats such as aircraft, missiles, drones, and helicopters.

These systems operate through multiple layers of integrated capabilities that work in unison to detect, track, and neutralise airborne dangers. At the core of modern air defence networks are radar systems, which serve as the primary detection tools, continuously scanning the skies for potential threats.

These are supported by early warning systems, which enhance situational awareness by gathering, analyzing, and relaying critical data about incoming targets, allowing for timely and effective defensive action.

• Command and control centres form the brain of AD systems. They receive information from various sensors, process the data, and coordinate defensive responses. These centres house advanced computers and communication equipment, enabling rapid decision-making and response deployment.
• Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) constitute the primary weapon systems in air defence. These missiles vary in range and capability, from short-range systems protecting specific installations to long-range missiles defending larger areas. Modern SAMs feature sophisticated guidance systems and can engage multiple targets simultaneously.
• Mobile air defence units provide flexibility and can be rapidly deployed to protect moving forces or respond to emerging threats. These units typically consist of vehicle-mounted radar, missiles, and command systems, allowing for quick repositioning as tactical situations change.

India's air defence arsenal
India's multi-layered air defence system, with a mix of Russian and Israeli surface-to-air missile systems and the indigenous Akash, is considered much better than Pakistan, which largely relies on Chinese systems.


S-400 Triumf Surface-to-Air Missile System

• 380-km range
• 3 squads deployed under Rs 40,000cr deal with Russia in Oct 2018
• 2 squads delayed to 2026–27 due to Russia–Ukraine war

Barak-8 MR-SAM

• Over 70-km range
• Jointly developed with Israel under projects initially worth Rs 30,000cr
• A large no. of units being progressively inducted by IAF, Navy & Army

Akash

• 25-km range
• IAF has inducted the bulk of 15 squads of Akash 1 & 2 systems ordered for Rs 10,900cr
• Army has 4 regiments for Rs 22,340cr. More in pipeline

Spyder

• 15-km range
• Israeli low-level quick-reaction anti-aircraft missile system
• Several units inducted by IAF & Army

Shorter Range

• Newer Russian shoulder-fired Igla-S (6-km) systems
• Older Russian Igla-1M (5-km), OSA-AK-M (10-km), Pechora missiles & upgraded L-70 anti-aircraft guns (3.5-km)

Meanwhile, Chinese-supplied HQ-9 air defence missile batteries and radars, which have a range of 120 km in the base variant that extends to 300 km in the latest one, in turn, are the mainstay of Pakistan. It also has the French-origin Spada anti-aircraft system with a 20–25 km range for defence of airbases and other important facilities, among other systems.