India Unveils Mission Sudarshan Chakra: AI-Powered ‘Iron Dome’ for Next-Gen Air Defence

India has unveiled its ambitious Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a next-generation air defence system modeled on Israel’s famous Iron Dome, but enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, advanced missile technologies, and real-time surveillance systems. This project, described as both a “shield and sword” by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, is part of a 10-year defence modernization plan aimed at redefining India’s military technology capabilities.

Speaking at Ran Samvad, a tri-services seminar at the Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, General Chauhan said the Sudarshan Chakra missile defence system would protect critical infrastructure, strategic civilian zones, and nationally important assets from enemy air attacks. Unlike existing missile defence systems, it is envisioned as a dual-use platform that can intercept threats while launching counterstrikes in near real time.

Key Features of Mission Sudarshan Chakra

The Sudarshan Chakra is expected to integrate:
Multi-domain ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) using land-based radars, airborne and maritime sensors, undersea detection systems, and space-based satellites.
Advanced computation and big data analytics for real-time decision-making.
Kinetic energy weapons and directed-energy weapons for neutralizing enemy air vectors.
AI-driven automation to improve accuracy and reduce reaction times.
Quantum computing applications to boost predictive defence strategies.

General Chauhan emphasized that India’s recent lessons from Operation Sindoor, a modern conflict scenario, have accelerated the need for civil-military integration, joint doctrine development, and technology-driven battle readiness. He noted that tomorrow’s wars will demand seamless coordination across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, requiring India to be prepared for hybrid warfare and AI-powered combat.

The CDS underlined that future warfare in India will increasingly blur boundaries between services, making joint military operations essential. He highlighted that building Mission Sudarshan Chakra will require a whole-of-nation approach, with robust infrastructure, resilient communication networks, and cross-force data fusion.

Quoting the maxim “If you want peace, prepare for war”, General Chauhan stressed that India has always stood for peace but cannot be pacifist in an evolving global security environment. With Mission Sudarshan Chakra, India aims to achieve indigenous, cost-effective, and world-class defence solutions that can deter adversaries and secure national sovereignty.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra represents a transformative leap in India’s air defence capabilities, blending AI, quantum technologies, and cutting-edge missile defence systems into one integrated shield. As India prepares for future conflicts in an AI-driven, tech-intensive battlefield, this initiative positions the country as a global leader in defence innovation while ensuring the protection of its people and critical assets.