India is moving to put a protective umbrella over New Delhi with plans for a multi-layered air defense shield designed to counter drones, missiles, and other modern threats.
Dubbed the Capital Dome, the system pairs the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) with the Vertically Launched Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM), offering continuous, overlapping protection over the capital.
Mounted on 8×8 vehicles, the QRSAM can detect and engage targets on the move up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles), while the VL-SRSAM adds 360-degree coverage within 10 kilometers (6 miles).
The Capital Dome will also integrate directed energy weapons (DEW), including high-energy lasers and high-power microwave systems.
Optimized for small drones, these systems can disable electronics or physically destroy targets, providing a low-cost, safe option for urban air defense.
The Digital Muscle
At the heart of the dome is a digital backbone.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is reportedly leading development using fully indigenous technology, feeding all components into a networked command-and-control (C2) system.
Radars, electro-optical sensors, and communications nodes generate a unified air picture, enabling seamless handoff across defensive layers and matching each threat to the most effective countermeasure.
When operational, the Capital Dome is expected to reshape India’s air defense posture while showcasing a future-ready architecture that integrates missiles, lasers, and advanced sensors.
