India’s Sudarshan Chakra Air Defence Shield to Be Operational Soon, Says Rajnath Singh

India’s ambitious indigenous air defence project, the Sudarshan Chakra, is set to become operational in the near future, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, underscoring the growing strength of India’s home-grown military capabilities.

Speaking at the headquarters of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in New Delhi on the organisation’s 68th Foundation Day, Singh expressed strong confidence in DRDO’s ability to deliver the multi-layered air defence shield. He credited the organisation’s recent operational successes for reinforcing trust in indigenous defence systems.

The Defence Minister referred to Operation Sindoor, noting that air defence systems developed by DRDO played a decisive role during the operation. According to Singh, these systems performed seamlessly in real combat-like conditions, significantly enhancing the morale of Indian armed forces and validating years of domestic research and development efforts.

“Operation Sindoor has clearly demonstrated how vital air defence capabilities are in modern warfare. The performance of indigenous systems during the operation reflects DRDO’s professionalism, precision and commitment to national security,” Singh said.

The Sudarshan Chakra initiative was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address in 2025. The project envisions a comprehensive air defence shield that will provide layered protection to India’s critical infrastructure, strategic assets and population centres over the next decade.

Rajnath Singh said DRDO would serve as the backbone of the Sudarshan Chakra programme, stressing that the organisation has evolved beyond being just a technology developer. He described DRDO as a “trust builder” for the nation, highlighting its role in strengthening India’s defence self-reliance amid changing geopolitical realities.

The Defence Minister also pointed to the growing collaboration between DRDO, private defence companies, start-ups, MSMEs and academic institutions. He said these partnerships have helped create a more agile and responsive defence innovation ecosystem, supported by reforms in procurement processes, project execution and industry engagement.

Singh urged DRDO scientists to remain future-ready by continuously aligning their work with emerging technologies and evolving warfare domains. He emphasised that areas such as deep-tech innovation, next-generation weapon systems and advanced surveillance platforms are no longer optional but operational necessities.

During the event, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat briefed the Defence Minister on major research milestones achieved in 2025, ongoing flagship projects, industry outreach initiatives and the organisation’s strategic roadmap for 2026. Senior DRDO officials and scientists, along with Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, were also present.

The Sudarshan Chakra project is expected to mark a significant step in India’s journey towards defence self-sufficiency, reinforcing its ability to deter aerial threats and safeguard national interests using domestically developed technology.