Operation Sindoor: India Uses S-400 Sudarshan Chakra to Counter Pakistani Drones and Missiles
India uses the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra to neutralize Pakistani drones and missiles during Operation Sindoor, preventing damage to military assets in 15 cities.
In a decisive move, India deployed its advanced S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence missile system to counter Pakistan's aggression on the night of May 7-8, 2025. The system successfully intercepted drones and missiles targeting 15 Indian cities, preventing potential damage to critical military installations. The swift response thwarted Pakistan's efforts to escalate tensions, with debris from the intercepted drones and missiles recovered as evidence of the attack.
The Indian Air Force used the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra along with the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems to neutralize the threat, ensuring the safety of India's assets. Experts confirmed that the targets, launched from Pakistan, were successfully intercepted and neutralized, with debris from the missile and drone attacks found at multiple locations.
What is the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra?
The S-400 "Sudarshan Chakra" is India’s version of Russia's S-400 Triumf air defence system, which India acquired through a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018. The name "Sudarshan Chakra" draws inspiration from the epic Mahabharata, symbolizing precision and power, qualities that the S-400 embodies. It is one of the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems globally, capable of targeting a wide range of aerial threats.
With a range of up to 400 km and the ability to detect targets as far as 600 km, the S-400 can intercept aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The system is equipped with sophisticated phased-array radar, which can track over 100 targets simultaneously, and its mobile launchers allow for quick repositioning to respond to emerging threats.
Since its first deployment in 2021, the S-400 system has bolstered India’s air defence capabilities, providing a strategic edge against threats from both Pakistan and China.
Operation Sindoor: Focused Yet Proportional Retaliation
India's Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation to Pakistan’s missile and drone attacks, has been described by government officials as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory." India has clarified that the operation did not target any Pakistani military installations, focusing instead on neutralizing aerial threats. However, after the escalation, the Indian Armed Forces took retaliatory actions, including targeting and neutralizing Pakistani air defence systems, one of which was located in Lahore.
This strategic use of the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra and other defence measures highlights India’s growing capacity to counter aerial threats and maintain security in the region amidst heightened tensions.
