Summary:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged greater self-reliance across sectors, from fertiliser production to electric vehicle batteries, and announced lower GST rates from October to stimulate consumption. He called on shops and traders to promote local products, intensified his push for domestic manufacturing amid global trade tensions, and unveiled a new defence system — Project Sudarshan Chakra — to strengthen national protection and enhance offensive capabilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Independence Day address from the Red Fort to unveil Project Sudarshan Chakra — a decade-long mission to build a fully integrated, multi-layered air and space defence shield for India. The system, Modi said, will be “a protective shield that will keep expanding” to ensure the security of every citizen.
“This mission will enable a powerful weapon system, which will not only neutralise the enemy’s attack, but also hit back at the enemy many times over,” he declared. “Whatever kind of technology is used against India, our technology will prove to be superior.”
The project is envisioned as a comprehensive national security framework capable of countering a wide range of threats, from ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons to drones, loitering munitions, and cyber attacks.
A Decade to Build India’s Protective Dome
Under the plan, Project Sudarshan Chakra will be completed by 2035, with all research, development, and manufacturing carried out domestically. The initiative aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat policy, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign defence suppliers while boosting indigenous capabilities.
The concept draws parallels with advanced multi-layered defence shields operated by major powers, combining interception systems, surveillance satellites, directed energy weapons, and cyber warfare capabilities into a single, seamless security architecture.
An Integrated Security Network
At the heart of Project Sudarshan Chakra is the integration of all existing and future air defence systems under one national command-and-control network. This will provide both strategic protection for critical infrastructure and operational cover for frontline assets.
Core Components:
- Project Kusha – India’s Extended Range Air Defence System, designed to bridge the gap between the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system (7–80 km range) and the S-400 Triumf (up to 400 km range). Kusha will eventually match the S-400’s capabilities through extended boosters and advanced interceptors.
- Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) – Indigenous interceptors for both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric engagements, complementing imported systems.
- Long-Range Radars – Capable of detecting threats hundreds of kilometres away, forming the backbone of early-warning systems.
- Space-Based Assets – Satellites for real-time monitoring of enemy movements and round-the-clock situational awareness.
- Directed Energy and Cyber Capabilities – Laser weapons, jamming systems, and cyber tools to neutralise threats before impact.
Closing the Surveillance Gap
A key driver for Sudarshan Chakra is the recognition that adversaries have developed the ability to monitor Indian military operations in real time. This was evident during recent conflicts, where foreign surveillance capabilities provided opponents with a strategic edge. The new system aims to close that gap, ensuring India has its own round-the-clock intelligence and tracking network.
From Farmers to Frontlines: A Broader Independence Day Vision
Modi’s speech also linked defence modernisation to economic resilience. He reiterated commitments to protecting farmers, reducing taxes, and fostering self-reliance in manufacturing. The message underscored a broader national strategy: strengthening internal economic stability while enhancing external security capabilities.
By merging high-tech defence development with domestic economic reforms, the government aims to secure India’s strategic autonomy in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
Strategic Impact
Once operational, Project Sudarshan Chakra will give India a protective shield capable of countering:
- Ballistic and hypersonic missile attacks
- Advanced fighter aircraft incursions
- Drone swarms and loitering munitions
- Cyber and electronic warfare strikes
If delivered on schedule, the initiative will position India among a select group of nations with comprehensive, layered defence systems capable of both interception and immediate counterstrike.
As Modi concluded in his address:
“The protective shield will keep expanding so that every citizen feels secure.”
