15 Aug 2025 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a state-of-the-art defence initiative aimed at protecting India’s strategic, civilian, and religious sites from potential enemy attacks.
Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort during his Independence Day address, PM Modi said the system would integrate the latest technological tools to create a powerful, multi-layered shield around critical locations across the country.
“In the next ten years, by 2035, I want to expand, strengthen, and modernise this national security shield. Drawing inspiration from Lord Shri Krishna, we have chosen the path of the Sudarshan Chakra…The nation will be launching the Sudarshan Chakra Mission,” he said.
Elaborating on the new defence system, the PM added, “India will build the ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ defence system to protect the nation. Using cutting-edge technology, we will ensure the safety of our strategic installations, our cities, and our sacred places. This will be a formidable deterrent to any hostile attempt to harm us,” the Prime Minister declared.
According to PM Modi, Mission Sudarshan Chakra will combine advanced surveillance, interception, and counter-attack capabilities, enabling swift neutralisation of threats in air, land, and sea domains.
The new system could give competition to Israel’s famed Iron Dome, a multi-layered defence system known for stopping aerial attacks. Deployed in 2010s, the system has intercepted thousands of incoming rockets from Palestinian militant outfit Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, with Israel claiming a success rate of over 90 per cent.
India-Pak conflict
PM Modi’s remarks come amid the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. On May 7 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. Indian forces struck nine terror camps, killing over 100 terrorists, and hit 13 Pakistani military installations and airbases.
India on Thursday also acknowledged the heroism of its soldiers who took part in Operation Sindoor and played a pivotal role in hitting terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir three months ago, with President Droupadi Murmu approving scores of wartime honours for them.
Among the 127 gallantry medals and 40 distinguished service awards cleared by the President on the eve of the 79th Independence Day are four Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, two bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Yudh Seva Medals, the defence ministry said.
Summary:
Prime Minister Modi announced the Sudarshan Chakra defence system, dubbed India’s Iron Dome, aimed at intercepting and neutralising enemy attacks to strengthen national security.