Hyderabad, 13 June (HS): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that Mission Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will emerge as a multi-layer missile defence system aimed at strengthening India's security architecture and protecting critical assets.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Advanced Weapon System Complex at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, Singh said the proposed system would provide protection to military establishments, critical infrastructure and important civilian assets.

The Defence Minister said the system is being designed as a robust protective shield and would possess the capability to respond effectively to aerial threats while ensuring the safety of citizens through a three-layer protection mechanism.

Highlighting the importance of air defence in modern warfare, Singh said recent conflicts across the world have demonstrated the need for strong defensive capabilities. He noted that India is committed to developing a multi-level missile defence network under Mission Sudarshan Chakra.

The Minister commended the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for its contribution to strengthening the country's technological capabilities and national security. He said indigenous systems such as Akash and BrahMos have demonstrated India's growing capabilities in defence technology.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh said the performance of indigenous missile and air defence systems reflected the increasing strength of India's defence research and development ecosystem.

He said the evolving nature of warfare, marked by precision-strike capabilities, integrated air defence systems, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, autonomous platforms and advanced sensor technologies, requires continuous technological advancement and preparedness.

The Defence Minister stressed the need for resilience and deterrence in safeguarding national security interests amid changing global security challenges. He said India must remain prepared to address emerging threats through technological innovation and indigenous capability development.

Singh also urged DRDO to reduce development-to-production timelines, enhance indigenous content and focus on systems that can be rapidly produced for the armed forces whenever required.

He expressed confidence that DRDO's ongoing efforts in advanced and futuristic technologies would further strengthen India's strategic capabilities and defence preparedness.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar