Independence Day 2025:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his record-breaking 103-minute Independence Day address from the Red Fort, declared a historic national security initiative called Mission Sudarshan Chakra to develop an Iron Dome-like defence shield to guard India's strategic, civilian, and religious locations against possible enemy fires by 2035. The mission, named after Lord Shri Krishna's mythological celestial weapon will be completely developed with indigenous technology, marking a decisive thrust towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.

PM Modi stated that Mission Sudarshan Chakra will have a multi-layered defence system, merging cutting-edge surveillance, interception systems, precision firepower, and cyber defence. It will protect military bases, airfields, ports, railway stations, hospitals, pilgrimage points, and other strategic public areas. "This mission shall be researched, developed, and produced in India, utilizing the skill of our youth and our defence capabilities. Till 2035, we will possess a modern, self-dependent, and strong national security wall," he stated.

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Inspiration From Mythology, Powered By Cutting-edge Tech

Connecting India's cultural heritage with the needs of the times in defence, the Prime Minister recalled the incident in the Mahabharata where Lord Krishna utilized the Sudarshan Chakra to cover the sun to allow Arjun to fight a decisive war. "As Lord Krishna had covered the sun, so will we cover our nation from any inimical attempt to cause harm to our people, infrastructure, and sacred centers," said PM Modi, but making it clear that India's action against threats will be pre-emptive, not retaliatory.

The system will likely include:
• Highly accurate Targeting Systems to dispose of enemy threats.
• Multi-layered Defence Systems for the air, land, and sea.
• Quick Counter-Strike Capability to discourage future attacks.

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The announcement follows Operation Sindoor, which was carried out following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that took 26 lives. India's armed forces struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing about 100 militants. PM Modi hailed the armed forces for intercepting missiles and drones during the operation as, "Our ability to deal with modern warfare has been tested. We will now further enhance it.

With inputs from agencies.