Why India Needs Iron Dome for Border Security

India must adopt Iron Dome-like technology to defend its border civilians from Pakistan’s artillery shelling and rocket attacks.

Iron Dome Urgently Needed to Protect India’s Border Civilians

Despite sporadic diplomatic overtures, peace along the India-Pakistan border remains fragile. The persistent volatility, driven largely by hawkish elements within Pakistan’s military establishment, continues to put Indian lives at risk—especially in regions flanking the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border. While the current lull may seem like a break in hostilities, it also offers India a rare moment to rethink its border defense strategy—particularly against a threat that is both devastating and difficult to neutralize: cross-border artillery shelling.

This urgency came into stark focus following Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. In a precise counter-terror operation, India struck deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting militant launchpads. Islamabad’s retaliation was swift and brutal. Artillery and mortar shells rained down on Indian villages, especially in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. The cost was heartbreaking: 15 lives lost—including four children and a soldier—and over 57 injured.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah didn’t mince words. Citing the earlier killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed militants, he condemned Islamabad’s role in triggering the crisis. He also underscored the disproportionate suffering endured by civilians in border districts—particularly Poonch, which has seen repeated ceasefire violations.

Why Intercepting Artillery is Incredibly Hard

While India has successfully built capabilities to intercept drones and cruise missiles, stopping conventional artillery remains an unsolved puzzle. The challenge lies in the very nature of artillery shells.

Unlike drones or missiles, which emit detectable heat or signals, artillery rounds are small, fast, and stealthy—often flying at speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 5. Their ballistic arc gives defenders just seconds to react. These shells are essentially lumps of metal with no propulsion or electronic signature, making them notoriously difficult to track and intercept.

This is why even advanced militaries have struggled with artillery defense—until recently. As seen in the Ukraine conflict, Russia claims to have intercepted HIMARS rockets using its Buk-M3 system, a mobile air defense solution that bridges the gap between short and long-range missile systems. While such claims are debated, they do suggest a global shift toward counter-rocket and counter-artillery technologies.

Iron Dome: A Combat-Tested Solution for India?

Among modern air defense systems, Israel’s Iron Dome stands out as the gold standard for intercepting short-range threats—like rockets, mortars, and artillery shells. First deployed in 2011, the system has repeatedly saved lives by neutralizing incoming projectiles before they hit populated areas. Its relevance for India is unmistakable.

Iron Dome’s strength lies in its speed, precision, and efficiency. Designed for short-range defense (up to 70 km), it can track and destroy multiple incoming threats simultaneously. In the face of Pakistan’s frequent shelling along the LoC, especially in sectors like Uri and Kupwara, such a system could dramatically reduce civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

Critics often compare Iron Dome to India’s Akash missile system, but the comparison is misleading. Akash is a medium-range platform aimed at aircraft and drones—not rapid-fire artillery barrages. It’s mobile and versatile, yes, but it lacks the specialization and point-defense focus that Iron Dome offers.

Cost vs. Capability: Is Iron Dome Worth It?

Each Iron Dome interceptor costs between $40,000 and $50,000—not cheap, especially for sustained deployment. But the real value lies in lives saved and communities protected. Developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with backing from the US, Iron Dome has proven itself not just in theory, but in relentless real-world combat scenarios.

For India, adopting or adapting such a system could be a game changer. With growing India-Israel-US defense ties, a potential technology transfer deal or joint production venture isn’t out of reach. Creating a cost-effective, domestically manufactured version could ensure both affordability and scalability.

Conclusion: Time to Act Before It’s Too Late

Border skirmishes with Pakistan may come in waves, but their consequences are always immediate and tragic for civilians. The current ceasefire is no guarantee of peace. India must use this window not just for strategic planning but for concrete action.

By incorporating Iron Dome-like technology into its defense architecture, India can finally provide reliable protection to its most vulnerable border communities. The lives of countless men, women, and children in areas like Poonch, Uri, and Kupwara should no longer hang in the balance every time the skies thunder—not with solutions already within reach.

Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational purposes only. The views expressed do not reflect official policy positions and are based on publicly available data and expert analysis. Readers are advised to verify details independently where required.

source  :  Firstpost