NEW DELHI – In a latest development that can be termed as groundbreakingstrategic move, India is in process of acquiring modern missile shield tobe used against Pakistan and China, that would replace old air defencesystems, a Times of India report said on Sunday.

The report specifically mentioned that Union Defence Minister NirmalaSitharaman has given her nod for the ‘acceptance of necessity for theacquisition of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II’. Themissile shield will be bought from the US at the cost of $1 billion.

According to the website of the defence company behind the NationalAdvanced Surface to Air Missile System, the missile shield provides ‘theair defender with a tailorable, state-of-the-art defense system that canmaximize their ability to quickly identify, engage and destroy current andevolving enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle or emerging cruise missilethreats.’

NASAMS is owned by seven countries and has been integrated into the US’National Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005. In addition to theUS, it is in service in Norway, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands and oneundisclosed country. It is also currently in production for Oman, thewebsite said.

The National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II is the same systemthat is being used by the US for protecting Washington DC since 2005. Onthe other hand, India is still relying on Russia missile systems to protectDelhi.

In addition to the missile shield, Indian defence establishment is alsoreworking on the strategies to protect the National Capital in event of anenemy attack.

As part of new plan, measures are being taken to realign VIP-89 area. Thesaid term is used to define VVIP area in New Delhi that includesRashtrapati Bhavan, North Block and South Block.