India Indian Air Force (IAF) completes indigenous overhaul of Pechora Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system

Key facts

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has modernised its Soviet-era Pechora Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system through an indigenous overhaul led by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Ltd (ADTL).
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a contract worth approximately ₹591.3 crore to ADTL for the digitisation and refurbishment of the system.
• The upgrade features full digitisation of radar and tracking infrastructure, replacing legacy valve and transistor-based electronics with advanced digital chips and modern radar transmitters.
• Successful user trials of the enhanced Pechora system were conducted at the Pokhran range from November to December 2025 to validate reliability and accuracy.
• The upgraded system is integrated into Mission Sudarshan Chakra, which is India’s initiative to develop a multi-layered air defence shield against drones and fighter aircraft.
• The project forms part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat strategy, aimed at achieving self-reliance in defence production by modernising ageing military platforms.
• The overhaul includes a redesigned operator station with modern visual displays and health-monitoring tools to reduce crew workload and improve situational awareness.