Mission Sudarshan Chakra is an ambitious and comprehensive Indian initiative aimed at creating a multi-layered aerial defence and precision counterstrike system to protect the nation’s skies and critical infrastructure. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 2025 Independence Day speech, the project draws inspiration from the mythological Sudarshan Chakra—a divine weapon wielded by Lord Krishna. Unlike a single missile or system, Mission Sudarshan Chakra is conceptualized as a fusion of India's advanced air defence networks with strike capabilities, forming an integrated shield that can detect, intercept, and retaliate against a broad range of aerial threats including drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and other hostile projectiles.

Central to the mission is the incorporation of existing high-tech defensive platforms, such as the Russian-made S-400 Triumf missile system, which India refers to as "Sudarshan Chakra" after the mythological weapon. The S-400 system is among the world’s most sophisticated long-range air defence systems. It is capable of tracking and neutralizing multiple simultaneous targets—stealth fighters, ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles—over ranges up to 400 kilometers for interception and 600 kilometers for tracking. India has procured five S-400 squadrons, with three already operational, forming a formidable backbone for the Sudarshan Chakra mission. The system’s layered protection is further enhanced by indigenous missile systems like Akash Prime and MR-SAM, which cover low and medium altitude threats respectively, creating a seamless and resilient defensive network.

The Sudarshan Chakra Mission also aims at not just defense but proactive retaliation. It plans to develop precision-strike capabilities to "hit back at the enemy many times over," ensuring that any attack on India’s airspace will be met with a powerful counterattack. This offensive and defensive integration will allow real-time interoperability between missile detection, air defense command, and strike platforms. The Indian government envisions this shield expanding and modernizing by 2035, with all research, development, and manufacturing done domestically to enhance self-reliance in defense technologies. This vision places Sudarshan Chakra as a linchpin in India's strategic air defense and counter-attack posture to safeguard vital national infrastructure including military installations, civilian targets, and critical assets.

Recent operational experiences have validated the robustness of the Sudarshan Chakra framework. During heightened tensions and escalatory attempts by Pakistan in May 2025, the Integrated Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Grid and S-400 based air defence network successfully detected, tracked, and neutralized multiple missiles and drone attacks targeting Indian military sites. Such real-world validation underscores the system’s effectiveness not only as a shield but as part of a comprehensive national aerial security grid. By evolving and integrating advanced radars, AI-enabled threat detection, and layered missile interception, Mission Sudarshan Chakra exemplifies India's cutting-edge approach to securing its airspace against evolving threats in modern warfare.