India Deploys L-70, Zu-23mm, Schilka, S-400 to Counter Pakistan Drone Attacks | India News

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army on Friday said that Pakistan’s armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire western border on the intervening night of May 8-9. These attacks were “effectively repulsed,” the Army said. Pakistani troops also engaged in “numerous ceasefire violations” along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said in an early morning post on X. The post included a short video clip and reaffirming India’s intent to respond firmly to any hostile actions. “OPERATION SINDOOR – Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir,” the post said. The Indian Army stated that the drone attacks were “effectively repulsed” and that a “befitting reply” was given in response to the ceasefire violations. “#IndianArmy remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force,” it added.In a large-scale counter-drone operation, Army’s Air Defence units deployed a range of advanced weaponry including L-70 guns, Zu-23mm systems, Schilka systems, and specialised counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) equipment and S-400 “Sudarshan Chakra” .What are L-70 guns?India’s counter-drone and air defence capabilities are supported by a combination of legacy and modern weapon systems designed to neutralise aerial threats, including drones, missiles, and low-flying aircraft. Among these, the L-70 guns are 40mm anti-aircraft artillery pieces originally developed by Bofors. They are known for their high rate of fire and are capable of engaging fast-moving aerial targets at low altitudes. India has upgraded these guns with modern electro-optical fire control systems to enhance accuracy and automation.What is Zu-23mm system?The Zu-23mm systems are twin-barrel, Soviet-era anti-aircraft guns that remain in service due to their simplicity and effectiveness. Mounted on a towed platform, the Zu-23 is capable of delivering a high volume of fire and is often used to defend static installations against low-flying threats. These guns can also be paired with radar and optical targeting systems for improved response.Schilka systemThe Schilka system, officially known as ZSU-23-4, is a self-propelled, radar-guided anti-aircraft weapon system mounted on a tracked chassis. It is equipped with four 23mm autocannons and an integrated radar system, giving it the capability to track and destroy multiple aerial targets in real-time. Despite its age, the Indian Army has modernised the Schilka with advanced fire control systems and thermal imaging sights.Specialised counter-unmanned aerial systems To address the evolving threat from drones and unmanned systems, India also deployed specialised counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) equipment. These systems include radar and electro-optical sensors for drone detection, as well as jammers and directed-energy weapons for neutralisation. The integration of kinetic systems like guns and non-kinetic tools such as jammers provides a layered defence mechanism, essential for protecting sensitive military and civilian infrastructure from modern aerial threats.On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, India used the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra defence missile systems to take down Pakistani drones and missiles fired towards 15 Indian cities, thwarting Islamabad’s attempt to damage military installations. Indian Air Force S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence missile systems were fired last night against targets moving towards India.The targets were successfully neutralised in the operation.What is S-400 Sudarshan Chakra?The S-400 “Sudarshan Chakra” is an Indian name given to the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system acquired from Russia. The term “Sudarshan Chakra” draws from the Epic Mahabharata, symbolising precision, speed, and lethal capability, qualities that closely reflect the S-400’s operational strengths. Developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey, the S-400 is among the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems in the world. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 to procure five S-400 units, with the first system deployed in Punjab in 2021 to bolster defences against threats from Pakistan and China. The S-400 can engage aerial targets at ranges of up to 400 km and detect threats as far as 600 km away. It supports four different types of missiles, enabling it to target everything from aircraft and drones to cruise and ballistic missiles.