Akashteer: The Unseen Force Behind India’s New War Capability
By the time the enemy knew they were being watched, they were already being targeted.
In the dark skies, a new kind of warrior awakened. It did not roar like a fighter jet or flash like
a missile. It listened. It calculated. It struck. This invisible shield, Akashteer, is no longer a
concept confined to defence journals. It is the sharp edge of India’s air defence, the unseen wall
that stopped a barrage of missiles and drones on the night of May 9th and 10th, when Pakistan
launched its deadliest attack on Indian military and civilian areas. Akashteer is India’s fully
indigenous, automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System, that intercepted and
neutralised every inbound projectile.
What stood between them and
their intended targets was not just
technology, but years of
commitment to Atmanirbhar
Bharat. While Pakistan relied on
imported HQ-9 and HQ-16
systems that failed to detect and
intercept Indian strikes, Akashteer
showcased India’s dominance in
real-time, automated air defence warfare.
Akashteer has demonstrated that it sees, decides, and strikes faster than anything the world has
fielded.
The integration of multiple elements reduces the possibility of friendly fire, allowing rapid
engagement of hostile targets while ensuring the protection of aircraft in contested airspace.
The sensors integrated include Tactical Control Radar REPORTER, 3D Tactical Control
Radars, Low-Level Lightweight Radar and the radar of Akash Weapon System.
Akashteer: From Passive Radar to Intelligent Combat
Akashteer is not about brute force, it is about intelligent warfare. The system provides a
common, real-time air picture to all involved parties (control room, radars and Defence Gun),
enabling coordinated air defense operations. It is a system designed to automate detection,
tracking and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones and missiles. It integrates various radar
systems, sensors and communication technologies into a single operational framework.
Akashteer gathers data from multiple sources, processes it and allows for automated, real-time
engagement decisions. Akashteer is part of the broader C4ISR (Command, Control,
Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
framework, working in coordination with other systems. The system is vehicle-based which
makes it mobile and easier to handle in hostile environment.
Unlike traditional air defence
models that rely on ground-based
radars and manual decisions,
Akashteer enables autonomous
monitoring of low-level airspace in
battle zones and efficient control of
Ground-Based Air Defence
Weapon Systems. This marks a
clear shift in India’s strategic
principle- from passive defence to proactive retaliation. Its seamless integration with India’s
larger C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance,
and Reconnaissance) ecosystem allows the Army, Navy and Air Force to operate with
unmatched synergy.
India’s Unified AD Network: A Silent Force with Loud Impact
Akashteer is the core of the Indian Army’s Air Defence (AAD) system. It connects smoothly
with IACCS (Indian Air Force) and TRIGUN (Indian Navy), creating a clear and real-time
picture of the battlefield. This enables the quick and effective use of both offensive and
defensive weapons.
Because all three forces work together through Akashteer, there is a much lower risk of
accidentally hitting friendly targets. It improves situational awareness and allows for precise,
powerful action. Since Akashteer is vehicle-mounted and highly mobile, it is ideal for
deployment in dangerous and active war zones.
The Indigenous Edge
Akashteer is not alone. It is part of a growing ecosystem of indigenous defence platforms that
are reshaping India’s war-fighting capabilities. The Make in India initiative has bolstered
growth and enabled the development of advanced military platforms including the Dhanush
Artillery Gun System, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Main Battle Tank
(MBT) Arjun, Light Specialist Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)
Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Weapon Locating
Radar, 3D Tactical Control Radar, and Software Defined Radio (SDR), as well as naval assets
like destroyers, indigenous aircraft carriers, submarines, frigates, corvettes, fast patrol vessels,
fast attack craft, and offshore patrol vessels.
India targets ₹3 lakh crore in defence production by 2029, reinforcing its position as a
global defence manufacturing hub.
The private sector plays a crucial role, contributing 21% to total defence production,
fostering innovation and efficiency.
A robust defence industrial base includes 16 DPSUs, over 430 licensed companies, and
approximately 16,000 MSMEs, strengthening indigenous production capabilities.
65% of defence equipment is now manufactured domestically, a significant shift from the
earlier 65-70% import dependency, showcasing India's self-reliance in defence.
Akashteer: More Than a System- A Message to the World
Experts across the world are calling Akashteer a “seismic shift in warfare strategy.” With
this system, India has entered the elite club of nations with fully integrated, automated Air
Defence Command and Control capability. It doesn’t just see faster- it decides faster, and it
strikes faster than anything fielded globally.
Akashteer is not just a technology; it is India’s answer to asymmetric warfare, hybrid threats,
and cross-border terrorism. It’s successful use in neutralising Pakistan’s offensive during
Operation SINDOOR stands as proof that India’s future lies not in imported platforms, but in
its own innovation, being truly Aatmanirbhar.
Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Kritika Rane
