Akashteer – India’s Indigenous Automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System

1. In the dark skies, a new kind of warrior awakened.
2. It did not roar like a fighter jet or flash like a missile.
3. It listened. It calculated. It struck.
4. This invisible shield, Akashteer, is no longer a concept confined to defence journals.
5. On the night of May 9–10, 2025, during a large-scale cross-border aerial attack from Pakistan, Akashteer successfully intercepted and neutralised every inbound drone and missile, proving its combat efficacy.
6. Akashteer is India’s fully indigenous, automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System, that intercepted and neutralised every inbound projectile.
7. The system represents a major milestone in India’s transition from manual and radar-based air defence to an integrated and real-time automated response system.
    

Key Features of Akashteer
 

System Type and Purpose

 

Parameter	Description
Role	Detection, tracking, identification, and engagement of aerial threats including aircraft, drones, and missiles
Integration	Part of India’s broader C4ISR ecosystem (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
Platform	Vehicle-mounted, ensuring mobility and rapid deployment in active conflict zones

 

Technological Components

Component	Function
Tactical Control Radar (REPORTER)	Real-time tracking of low-level aerial targets
3D Tactical Control Radar	Multi-target surveillance and classification
Low-Level Lightweight Radar (LLLR)	Detection of low-altitude threats in complex terrains
Akash Weapon System Radar	Engages and guides Akash missiles for target interception
Communication Nodes	Facilitates seamless communication across units and command centers

 

Operational Capabilities
 

1. Provides a real-time common air picture across control rooms, radar sites, and ground-based weapon systems.
2. Ensures automated engagement of aerial threats, reducing human response time and errors.
3. Allows for coordinated and distributed targeting, minimising the risk of friendly fire.
4. Supports autonomous surveillance and response in low-level airspace and high-conflict zones.

Strategic Integration with Armed Forces
 

1. Forms the core of Indian Army’s Air Defence (AAD) command.
2. Fully interoperable with:
   • IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System) – Indian Air Force
   • TRIGUN System – Indian Navy
3. Facilitates tri-service integration and situational awareness, ensuring real-time threat analysis and coordinated defence.
    

Comparison with Adversaries
 

Country	System	Observations
India	Akashteer	Indigenous, automated, real-time system. Demonstrated success in actual combat.
Pakistan	HQ-9 and HQ-16 (imported from China)	Reportedly failed to detect or intercept Indian strikes during recent engagements.

Strategic Importance
 

1. Enables India to shift from reactive to proactive air defence strategy.
2. Reduces dependence on foreign platforms, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
3. Demonstrates India's ability to lead in next-generation warfare systems.
4. Reduces human error and response delays during real-time combat operations.

 

Indigenous Defence Ecosystem Supporting Akashteer

 

1. Akashteer is part of a broader indigenous defence platform ecosystem developed under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
2.  Notable Indigenous Systems and Platforms:
   1. Dhanush, ATAGS, MBT Arjun – Artillery and Main Battle Tanks
   2. LCA Tejas, ALH, LUH – Light combat and utility aircraft and helicopters
   3. Weapon Locating Radar, 3D Tactical Control Radar, SDR – Advanced sensor and communication systems
   4. Naval assets: Indigenous aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, fast patrol vessels
       

Defence Industrial Growth (as of 2025)
 

Parameter	Data
Target for Defence Production by 2029	₹3 lakh crore
Contribution of Private Sector	21% of total defence output
Indigenous Manufacturing (Current)	65% of defence equipment (earlier import dependency: 65–70%)
Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs)	16
Licensed Private Companies	Over 430
MSMEs in Defence Sector	Approx. 16,000

Way Forward

1. Expand deployment across conflict-sensitive regions and border zones
2. Integrate with more autonomous and AI-driven subsystems
3. Continue R&D for next-generation sensor fusion and faster data processing
4. Enhance defence exports of command-and-control systems to friendly nations

Build technical capacity and training modules for air defence operators

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