SOURCE: AFI
India’s indigenous air defense systems, such as the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) and the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM), have emerged as critical components of the country’s multi-layered air defense architecture. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), these systems have demonstrated significant capabilities in recent combat scenarios, particularly during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
However, when compared to Israeli and American air defense systems like the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Patriot, questions arise about their relative effectiveness, especially in handling saturated drone and missile attacks. This article critically examines the performance of India’s indigenous systems, arguing that while they may not surpass their Israeli and American counterparts in all aspects, they have shown comparable or superior accuracy and resilience in specific combat scenarios, particularly against saturated attacks.
The Akash SAM system, a medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile, is designed to neutralize a variety of aerial threats, including fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles. With a range of 25–45 km and an altitude capability of up to 20 km, Akash can engage multiple targets simultaneously in group or autonomous modes. Its Rajendra phased-array radar enables real-time tracking of up to 64 targets and simultaneous guidance of 12 missiles. The system’s variants, such as Akash-1S, Akash Prime, and Akash-NG, incorporate advanced features like indigenous seekers and extended ranges (up to 70–80 km for Akash-NG).
The MR-SAM, a joint Indo-Israeli development, is designed for medium-range air defense with a range of 70–100 km. It uses an active radar homing seeker and is capable of intercepting aircraft, missiles, and drones at higher altitudes. Deployed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army, the MR-SAM complements Akash in India’s layered defense grid.
During Operation Sindoor (May 2025), launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, both systems played pivotal roles in neutralizing Pakistani drone and missile attacks. The Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) described Akash’s performance as “stellar,” highlighting its ability to intercept multiple targets, including kamikaze drones like the Byker YIHA III, over Amritsar and other border areas. The IAF’s Astrashakti exercise in December 2023 further demonstrated Akash’s capability to engage four unmanned aerial targets simultaneously, even in close formations splitting to attack from multiple directions.
Israeli and American Systems: Strengths and Limitations
Israeli air defense systems, such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, are globally renowned for their effectiveness against short- and medium-range threats. The Iron Dome, designed to counter rockets, artillery, and mortars (RAM), has a range of 4–70 km and is optimized for intercepting low-cost, unguided projectiles. It boasts a reported success rate of 85–90% in intercepting rockets from Gaza. David’s Sling, with a range of 40–300 km, targets medium- to long-range missiles and aircraft, complementing the Iron Dome in Israel’s layered defense.
The American Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a long-range, high-altitude system designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. With a range of up to 180 km, it is a cornerstone of U.S. and allied air defense. However, its performance in saturated attack scenarios has been mixed, as seen in Saudi Arabia’s defense against Houthi drone and missile attacks in 2019–2021, where the system struggled to intercept low-flying, low-cost drones effectively.
Both Israeli and American systems rely on advanced radar (e.g., EL/M-2084 MMR for Iron Dome, AN/MPQ-53 for Patriot) and sophisticated interceptors, giving them an edge in high-intensity conflicts. However, their high costs—$50,000–$100,000 per Iron Dome interceptor and $2–$4 million per Patriot missile—limit their scalability against large-scale, low-cost threats like drone swarms.
Combat Performance: Indian Systems Shine in Saturated Attacks
Recent combat scenarios, particularly Operation Sindoor, highlight the strengths of India’s Akash and MR-SAM systems in handling saturated drone and missile attacks. On the night of May 8–9, 2025, Pakistan launched over 50 swarm drones and missiles targeting 15 Indian military and civilian locations. India’s multi-layered air defense, including Akash, MR-SAM, and the Russian S-400, successfully neutralized these threats, with Akash intercepting multiple drones and missiles with high accuracy. Military officials reported no damage to critical assets, underscoring the system’s effectiveness in dynamic, multi-directional threat environments.
In contrast, Israeli and American systems have faced challenges in saturated attack scenarios. The Iron Dome, while highly effective against predictable rocket barrages, has been overwhelmed in rare instances of high-volume salvos, as seen in Hamas attacks in 2023, where interception rates dropped below 80% during peak saturation. Similarly, the Patriot system’s performance in Saudi Arabia revealed vulnerabilities against low-flying drones and loitering munitions, which exploit gaps in radar coverage and require multiple interceptors per target, escalating costs.
Akash’s kill probability—88% for the first missile and 99% for the second—rivals or exceeds that of the Iron Dome and Patriot in specific scenarios. Its ability to engage four targets simultaneously from a single firing unit, as demonstrated in the Astrashakti exercise, showcases its robustness against swarm attacks. The Akash-NG, with an extended range of 70–80 km and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, further enhances its capability to counter stealthy and high-speed threats, potentially surpassing the Iron Dome’s short-range focus.
India’s systems benefit from indigenous innovations tailored to regional threats. The Akash-1S and Akash Prime incorporate indigenous active radio frequency (RF) seekers, improving accuracy against agile targets like drones and cruise missiles. The Rajendra radar’s ability to track low-flying targets enhances Akash’s effectiveness in complex terrains, a capability that has challenged Western systems. For instance, the Patriot’s AN/MPQ-53 radar has struggled with low-altitude threats in cluttered environments, as seen in Houthi attacks.
The MR-SAM, leveraging Israeli technology but customized for Indian requirements, offers comparable accuracy to David’s Sling, with its active radar homing ensuring precise terminal guidance. Unlike the Patriot, which relies on semi-active radar homing for some interceptors, MR-SAM’s active seeker reduces dependency on ground radar during the terminal phase, improving resilience against jamming.
However, Israeli and American systems maintain an edge in technological sophistication and integration. The Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor uses advanced proximity fuzes and agile maneuverability, optimized for short-range threats. The Patriot’s PAC-3 employs hit-to-kill technology, offering unmatched precision against ballistic missiles. Additionally, both systems benefit from seamless integration with NATO and Israeli command-and-control networks, enhancing situational awareness. India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) is robust but still maturing compared to these ecosystems.
One area where Indian systems outshine their counterparts is cost-effectiveness. The Akash missile, priced at approximately $500,000 per unit, is significantly cheaper than the Patriot’s $2–$4 million interceptors and even the Iron Dome’s $50,000–$100,000 Tamir missiles. This affordability allows India to deploy Akash in large numbers, creating a dense air defense network capable of absorbing saturated attacks without prohibitive costs. The system’s 82% indigenous content (projected to reach 93% by 2026–27) further reduces reliance on foreign supply chains, unlike the Patriot, which depends on U.S. logistics.
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