India Needs More Than 'Iron Dome' to Protect Its Borders

India's borders face a growing range of threats, making a strong air defence system essential. While the successful Israeli Iron Dome is often discussed, India could benefit more from a wider-reaching missile defence shield.

The Challenge: Beyond Rockets​

Pakistan possesses missiles and rockets that put Indian border towns at risk. The Iron Dome is highly effective against short-range rockets, but it may struggle against longer-range ballistic missiles. India needs protection against not only these missiles, but also cruise missiles and potential future hypersonic weapons.

Benefits of a Homemade System​

Buying technology from abroad has limits. Building India's own missile defence system means control over its development and less reliance on other nations. This strengthens India's security in the long run.

A Layered Defence​

India needs a system with multiple 'layers.' Lower layers would tackle rockets and artillery, while higher layers would intercept ballistic missiles far above the ground. This approach provides the best possible coverage against many types of threats.

India's Progress​

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is steadily building a missile defence program. Some systems are already in use, with others undergoing development. Partnering with other countries to gain technology could further boost these efforts.

The Bottom Line​

The Iron Dome is impressive, but India's complex situation calls for a more comprehensive defence. Building a homemade, multi-layered missile system would protect India's borders, discourage enemies, and strengthen its national security for years to come.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

Yes , shield is always important but sword is more important. Our offensive capabilities to run over enemy defences and take the battle to enemy soil deters enemy from initiating any hostility. Just for an example, we couldn't Stop Pak army sponsored terrorist attacks even by implementing many security measures until we crossed borders after Uri and pulwama to obliterate the source.

 

[Sandeep]

India is already developing a multi tier integrated air defence shield ranging from the BMD, S400, MR-SAM, Akash, Spyder and L70 air guns. India can already intercept any missiles from Pakistan or China before it crosses the border but we need to focus more on China. We need to bolster our air defence against them and close a few gaps but we need more high powered long range radars that can also be deployed and work well in high altitude, very cold and windy weather.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

India's future Multi-tier air defence systems includes:

1. BMD (Ballistic Missile Defence) - 500-5000+ km
2. Project Kusha (Cruise Missile, Fighter Jets, Drone) - 150km, 250 km, 350 km
3. Barak 8 (MRSAM - Cruise Missile, Fighter Jets, Drone) - 80 km
4. Akash NG (Cruise Missile, Helicopters, Drone) - 70 km
5. Akash P (Helicopters, Drone) - 30 km
6. VSHORAD (Low flying objects) - 7-10 km

Naval air defence systems includes:

1. AD-1, AD-2 interceptors (Ballistic Missile Defence) - 500-2500+ km
2. Project Kusha (Cruise Missile, Fighter Jets, Drone) - 150km, 250 km, 350 km
3. Barak 8 (LRSAM - Cruise Missile, Fighter Jets, Drone) - 100 km
4. VLSRSAM (Cruise Missile, Fighter Jets, Drone) - 80 km

While Barak 8, Akash P are deployed; BMD Phase I, VLSRSAM are yet to be deployed operationally; and VSHORAD, Akash NG, Project Kusha, BMD Phase II are under development
Overall, Indian missile defence system planning is quite good. It needs to be much more integrated.

Add on if I have missed anything

 

[vamkris]

India shall get iron dome like defence system for borders and every major city or military or navy centre in India(akash+mrsam+lrsam)
Su30mki and tejas shall take care of western enemies while rafaels 3R and 36 new rafael4 shall take care of Ladakh and arunachal pradesh
BMD is must for Mumbai Visakhapatnam and Chennai
Electrical fencing with cctv cameras is must for Bangladesh china and pakistan borders

 

[Hari Sud]

India shall get iron dome like defence system for borders and every major city or military or navy centre in India(akash+mrsam+lrsam)
Su30mki and tejas shall take care of western enemies while rafaels 3R and 36 new rafael4 shall take care of Ladakh and arunachal pradesh
BMD is must for Mumbai Visakhapatnam and Chennai
Electrical fencing with cctv cameras is must for Bangladesh china and pakistan borders

Iron dome …… tell me how many for 4,000 miles border in west and 5,000 miles in the north. If you reach a conclusion, please do let us know.

 

[Sunnyj]

Perhaps truck-mounted machine guns using thermal scopes and tablets to receive target information to shoot down drones etc. Missiles will be expensive, good for big ticket items or last ditch efforts.