Why in the news?

  • The Indian Army has issued a tender to procure AK-630 air defence guns from state owned Advanced Weapon and Equipment India Ltd (AWEIL) under Mission Sudarshan Chakra.

Mission Sudarshan Chakra

  • What is it?: A national security mission aimed at creating an advanced, multi-layered defence shield to protect India’s strategic, civilian, and religious sites from enemy attacks.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Defence
  • Objectives:
    • Ensure self-reliance in critical defence technology in consonance with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
    • Develop an indigenous, research-based security system to neutralise threats from all domains such as air, land, sea, and cyber domains.
    • Provide all round protection to vital infrastructure, cities, and sacred places in India.
  • Key Features:
    • Multilayered Defence integrating Surveillance, Interception and Counter attack machineries
    • Comprehensive coverage to strategic, civilian and religious sites
    • Advanced Technology involving AI, cyber defence and physical systems all integrated.
    • Long term planning including future prospects of expansion and modernisation.
    • Entirely indigenous designs and development
  • Significance:
    • Strategic Deterrence: Envisioned in the model of Iron Dome of Israel, ensuring all round protection of the nation’s systems.
    • National Sovereignty: Self sustenance and reduced dependence on other nations aligns with the idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
    • Strategic Autonomy: Nation’s self reliance will boost strategic autonomy.
    • Financial Security: Reduced reliance on foreign nations will help in reduce defence expenditures and ensures financial security of the nation.