New Delhi: In a significant announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on India’s 79th Independence Day on Friday, announced that India would launch the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, an aerial defence system to thwart cross-border attacks, by 2035.
PM Modi described the Sudarshan Chakra Mission as a powerful, multi-layered defence system that will “not only save our country, but will give a befitting reply to that enemy country.”
“When I think of Lord Krishna, I also reflect on how the nature of warfare is changing worldwide today. India has demonstrated its capability to handle every new form of warfare. During Operation Sindoor, we showed our strength in terms of technology when Pakistan targeted our military bases, airbases, defence installations, centres of faith, and citizens; their missiles and drones were intercepted in a controlled manner,” he said.
“India will build the ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ defence system to protect the nation. We will ensure the safety of our strategic installations, our cities, and our sacred places by using cutting-edge technology. This will be a formidable deterrent to any hostile attempt to harm us,” he declared.
“In the next ten years, by 2035, I want to expand, strengthen, and modernise our national security shield. Drawing inspiration from Lord Shri Krishna, we have chosen the path of the Sudarshan Chakra. During the battle of Maharashtra, Lord Krishna used the Sudarshan Chakra to block the sun… The nation will be launching the Sudarshan Chakra Mission,” he added.
The Prime Minister also said some fundamental measures have been planned for the launch of the Sudarshan Chakra Mission. “Over the next ten years, we aim to advance this mission with full vigour. The entire modern system, its research, development, and manufacturing, will be done within our country, utilising the talent of our youth and the skills of our people,” he added.
He also affirmed that key public spaces, including railway platforms, hospitals, and religious sites across the country, will be brought under the national security shield, a significant step in extending protection beyond conventional military sites.
Modi emphasised that the mission would incorporate a Precise Target System and integrate cutting-edge weaponry to “neutralise enemy targets and also hit back more strongly.” The mission marks a significant shift in India’s national defence goals, inspired by Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ system.
The announcement came after India exchanged cross-border fire with Pakistan for four days after the launch of Operation Sindoor, where it struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and killed 100 terrorists in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
