India’s S-400 to Receive More Layers of Indigenous Shield Against Pakistan's Future Hypersonic Threats

India’s S-400 to Receive More Layers of Indigenous Shield Against Pakistan's Future Hypersonic Threats


The Indian Air Force (IAF) is moving to enhance the protection of its formidable S-400 'Triumf' air defence systems by integrating an additional layer of locally developed shields.

This strategic decision follows a reported, yet unsuccessful, attempt by Pakistan to target the advanced system and comes amid growing concerns over the potential future acquisition of hypersonic weapons by Islamabad from China.

The IAF is reportedly planning to deploy either the truck-mounted Very Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) or the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) to provide close-in defence for the S-400 batteries.

This move is designed to create a more resilient and multi-layered air defence network capable of neutralising a wider spectrum of aerial threats.

The S-400, known in Indian service as the "Sudarshan Chakra," is a long-range air defence system with a stated range of up to 400 kilometres. It serves as a cornerstone of India's national air defence, providing a strategic deterrent against hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

During recent flare-up, Pakistan allegedly launched a Chinese-made CM-400AKG supersonic missile from a JF-17 fighter jet in an attempt to disable an S-400 unit. The attack was thwarted by India's integrated air defence grid, with an older air defence system intercepting the missile.

According to a senior IAF official, the failure of the Pakistani strike can be attributed to the missile's design. The CM-400AKG is primarily an anti-ship weapon with a secondary land-attack role, not a specialised anti-radiation missile designed for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions.

This mismatch rendered it ineffective against the S-400's sophisticated radar and defensive capabilities.

The same official noted that Pakistan is expected to learn from this event and likely seek more advanced projectiles from China, including hypersonic weapons, to challenge the S-400 in the future.

Hypersonic missiles, which travel at over five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre mid-flight, pose a significant challenge to conventional air defence systems.

To counter these emerging threats, the IAF is looking to fortify its assets with indigenous solutions. Both the VL-SRSAM and QRSAM are developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM): This all-weather, mobile system has a range of up to 30 kilometres. It is designed to protect moving armoured columns and can engage multiple targets like fighter jets, drones, and low-flying cruise missiles. Its network-centric design allows for seamless integration with the IAF's command and control systems.
  • Vertical Launch-Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM): Based on the Astra air-to-air missile, this system provides 360-degree protection and is capable of neutralising various aerial threats at a range of up to 80 kilometres, including sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. Recent tests have validated its ability to engage targets at very low altitudes.
This initiative is part of India's broader strategy to create a multi-layered and integrated air defence network. This network combines long-range systems like the S-400, medium-range systems such as the Barak-8 and Akash, and short-range systems.

Furthermore, India is developing its own long-range air defence system under 'Project Kusha,' which aims to provide capabilities similar to the S-400.

The plan to procure and deploy these indigenous missile systems aligns with the government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) policy, which aims to boost domestic defence production and reduce reliance on foreign military hardware.

By proactively adding layers of indigenous protection, the IAF seeks to maintain its strategic advantage and ensure its critical defence infrastructure remains secure against evolving regional threats.
 
Here's the corrected text:

Three deals which should be done this year:
  1. Additional S-400 system
  2. 3-4 Squadrons of Su-57E
  3. 4-5 Squadrons of Rafale along with producing M88 engines in India for AMCA.
I don't think there could be any better planning than this. Don't waste any further time and sign the deals!
 
How can QRSAM or VLSRSAM shoot down hypersonic missiles which Pakistan will get from China to take out S-400? They are not capable of shooting hypersonic missiles.
 
How can QRSAM or VLSRSAM shoot down hypersonic missiles which Pakistan will get from China to take out S-400? They are not capable of shooting hypersonic missiles.
Even S-400 is not capable of neutralizing hypersonic missiles. By the way, will Chinese hypersonic missiles work? Several defence experts started doubting Chinese offensive and defensive stuff after the India-Pakistan war.
 
Pantsir missile defence systems are often purchased along with the S-400. We failed to buy Pantsir and instead tried to buy the South Korean Biho systems.
 
At present, the only way to protect Indian S-400 systems from Pakistani and Chinese hypersonic missile attacks is to manufacture multiple look-alike dummy S-400 systems and radars. These fake radars should emit the same frequency as that of the original S-400 radar. For each S-400 unit, we need to build 10 fake S-400 look-alike units and position them in all the airbases along the Pakistani and Chinese border.

Along with that, we need to increase the numbers of Akash, MRSAM, Barak, and QRSAM missile units.
 
It’s essential to protect the S400 from heavy saturated missile or rocket attacks as we might not be able to reload the missiles fast enough which leaves them defenceless for a short period of time.

We can definitely use the QRSAM or the VL-SRSAM missile as it’s fast, accurate, reliable and effective in intercepting any type of drones, jets or any other aircraft. What is always important is that we 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture our jewellery.
 
We need few S-500 as well to tackle hypersonic missiles in future. Also focus on completing the Project Kusha. We also need many more regiments of LRSAM, QRSAM as well. We also need our own AD project for hypersonic missiles and stealth jets.
 
Close quarters engegment is the main theme of warfare now as final approach is what's important and it's destruction in that approach is what's needed. Static defensive postions are now a Major headache since Ukraine war and technology use in it . Lessons have to learnt from others mistake fast and simple to complex solutions applied . Static heavy asset need a logistic plan for use and hiding .
 
Along with the S-400 air defence system, it will be wise to have VL-SRSAM that has a range up to 80 km to add an additional layer of protection for land assets like the S-400 unit and defence against incoming missiles or aircraft.
 

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