According to the Times of India website on May 9, during the conflict between India and Pakistan, the Indian armed forces said that they shot down more than 50 Pakistani cluster drones through their air defense systems on May 8. The Indian Army posted on social platform X that Pakistan's armed forces launched multiple attacks on the night of May 8 using drones and other weapons along the western border.

  The Indian Army Air Defense Forces have deployed advanced weapons and equipment such as L-70 anti-aircraft guns, ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns, "Shileka River" self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and drone countersystems in many places such as Utambul, Samba, Jammu, Aknur, Nagroda and Bertankod.

  Air defense systems are advanced military facilities used to defend against air threats such as aircraft, missiles, drones and helicopters. These systems operate in concert with multi-layer integration capabilities to detect, track and eliminate air hazards.

  At the heart of modern air defense networks are radar systems, which serve as the main detection tools, continuously scan potential threats in the sky.

  Early warning systems support it by enhancing situational awareness by collecting, analyzing and delivering critical data about incoming targets, thereby taking timely and effective defensive actions.

  The command and control center is the "brain" of the air defense system. These centers receive information from various sensors, process data and coordinate defense responses. They are equipped with advanced computers and communication equipment for rapid decision making and deployment of responses.

  Surface-to-air missiles are the main weapon system of air defense systems. These missiles vary in range and capabilities, ranging from short-range missiles that protect specific facilities to long-range missiles that protect larger areas. Modern surface-to-air missiles have precision guidance systems that can attack multiple targets at the same time.

  Flexible mobile air defense forces can be deployed quickly to protect mobile forces or to deal with emerging threats. These units usually include vehicle-mounted radar, missiles and command systems, which can be adjusted quickly according to the tactical situation.

  India's multi-layer air defense system includes Russian-made and Israeli surface-to-air missile systems and domestically produced "sky" surface-to-air missiles, which were once considered superior to Pakistan.

  S-400 "Triumph" missile system

  Range is 380 kilometers. According to an agreement worth 40,000 crore (approximately US$4.7 billion) with Russia in October 2018, three teams have been deployed. Due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, the other two teams were postponed to deployment from 2026 to 2027.

  "Barak"-8 Anti-missile System

  The range is over 70 kilometers. Joint development with Israel, the initial project is worth Rs 30,000 crore. The Indian Air Force, Navy and Army are gradually being equipped in large quantities.

  "Sky" surface-to-air missile

  Range is 25 kilometers. The Indian Air Force has 15 sets of Sky Type 1 and Type 2 systems, most of which have been installed; the Indian Army has 4 Sky Plane Missile Regiments. More systems are being deployed.

  "Spider" air defense system

  Range is 15 kilometers. Israeli low-altitude rapid response air defense missile system. The Indian Air Force and the Army have deployed multiple systems.

  Short-range system

  It includes the new Russian-made shoulder-mounted "Super Needle" portable air defense missile system (range 6 kilometers), as well as the old Russian-made "Needle" M-type surface-to-air missile (range 5 kilometers), OSA-AK-M air defense missile system (range 10 kilometers), "Bochaolla" air defense system and upgraded L-70 anti-aircraft gun (range 3.5 kilometers).

  In contrast, Pakistan's air defense configurations are mainly Hongqi-9 air defense missiles (basic range of 120 kilometers, the latest range of 300 kilometers), radar, as well as the French-made "Spada" air defense system (range of 20 to 25 kilometers) used to protect important facilities such as air bases. (Translated by Xiong Wenyuan)

[Editor in charge: Wang Jinzhi]