Mega urban air defence on anvil

A huge project aimed at defending major Indian cities and metros is on the way. “The aim of the project is to make our skyline impregnable,” a top official in the military establishment told agencies.

Military sources have told agencies that the project includes deploying a variety of air defence systems, including missiles, launchers and command-and-control units from the US, Russia and Israel, besides deploying indigenously developed missiles.

The Brahmos missile will be also be part of the project to secure the country’s airspace, the sources said. In November last, India successfully test fired air- launched variant of the Brahmos, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, from a Sukhoi30 combat jet. The defence ministry is now expediting the process to integrate the Brahmos missile with 40 Sukhoi combat aircraft.

“Missile shield over the national capital and many

◗ It is for the first time, the US is selling the drones to a country which is not a member of the NATO, said sources

other cities are being strengthened considering the evolving security scenario. Procurement of missile systems, radars and weaponry is part of the initiative,” the official said. India is engaged in talks with the US for procuring components of air defence systems, including missiles, radars and drones, and attack helicopters. The US has approved sale of 22 Sea Guardian drones at $ 2 billion.