By Admin 
During Operation Sindoor, the whole world saw the strength of India’s air defense systems. Pakistani Army sent 300 to 600 drones to the Indian border, but the air defense system badly destroyed each and every drone. Now India is strengthening and upgrading its air defence. On one hand, India is working on the indigenous air defense system Sudarshan Chakra like Israel’s Iron Dome and America’s Golden Dome, while on the other hand it is also looking for a modern air defense system.
In view of the increasing tension on the border and the challenges of drone attacks, the Indian Army is accelerating the search for modern air defense systems. In this context, the Oerlikon Skyshield system of the German company has emerged as a major contender. Oerlikon SkyShield is designed to deal with drones, cruise missiles, helicopters and low-flying fighter jets.
After the military conflict between India and Pakistan in May, the Indian Army is focusing on Short Range Air Defense System (SHORAD), in which the name of Oerlikon Skyshield has come up. It is capable of working in all weather conditions and can target drones, missiles and low-flying aircraft up to a range of 5 km. It can be deployed on trucks and containers in a very short time. Also its modules can be added or removed as per requirement.
Features of Oerlikon SkyShield-
- Unmanned Search and Tracking Sensor Unit: Oerlikon SkyShield is unmanned, it maintains 360 degree surveillance and can detect threats from up to 50 km away. It identifies the target and gives signal to the system.
- Command Post: It is based on the X-TAR3D radar, with Skymaster Battle Management handling the entire operation. It can take decisions within 10 seconds based on the information received from its installed radar, camera-sensors and other sources.
- Unmanned Guns: It is equipped with two 35 mm revolver guns Mk3, which can fire up to one thousand bullets every 10 minutes. These guns are completely automatic, which can hit the target without the help of any soldier.
- VSHORAD Missile System: Its open architecture enables it to integrate with short-range air defense missiles like India’s Akash-NG or QRSAM. Gun and missile together create a strong and layered defense for this.
- AHEAD Technology: In Advanced Hit Efficiency Destruction (AHEAD) technology, the bullets burst in the air and release small pieces of tungsten, which destroy the drone in mid-air. It has more than 90 percent hide rate on micro drones, whereas normal bullets have no effect on micro drones.