Ukraine Attack on St. Petersburg Highlights Need for Robust Air Defence

The Ukrainian attack on the key Russian port city of St Petersburg has once again demonstrated the need for a robust air defence system. The attack carried out 800 km from Ukraine's border took place just hours before the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, also known as the 'Russian Davos'. The drones hit many key targets in the city, such as an oil complex and a naval base. The attack is seen as an attempt to embarrass Vladimir Putin, as per Reuters, as the attack was able to bypass Russian air defence systems. The conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia have revived global interest in multi-layered, integrated air defence systems capable of countering threats ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles to intercontinental ballistic missiles and everything in between.

While Indian air defence systems performed remarkably well during Operation Sindoor, the country is looking to build on this capability. According to a report published by the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, Operation Sindoor demonstrated the need for a stronger missile defence by exposing gaps in electronic warfare, counter-drone systems and low-level radar technology. It emphasised that while India has advanced capabilities, there is a need to strengthen and expand the missile defence architecture. In his Independence Day address in 2025, PM Modi announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a project aimed to create an invincible, impenetrable, and highly integrated multi-layered protective shield over India, combining both defensive and offensive capabilities by 2035. According to the report, Sudarshan Chakra would be akin to Israel’s Iron Dome and the USA’s interconnected platform of THAAD, Patriot and GMD. However, Sudarshan Chakra plans to significantly expand scope in terms of space-based surveillance and interception. Besides space-based infrastructure, the report also suggested the inclusion and upgradation of advanced sensors, autonomous platforms, resilient communication networks, and the potential integration of Artificial Intelligence across platforms.

The comprehensive air defence structure is being built to address the complex geopolitical reality of 21st-century India, which has nuclear-armed states as both its adversaries and neighbours. The primary objectives of the system are to defend major population centres, critical infrastructure, economic assets and military hardware from sophisticated missiles and low-cost saturation tactics like drone swarms, loitering munitions and unmanned aerial vehicles. Challenges during development may include funding, engagement with the private sector, and its actualisation within ten years.