NEW DELHI: In a display of modern warfare, India unveiled its indigenous air defence network with Akashteer , a fully automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System.
The newly operational automated air defence system, Akashteer, played a central role in intercepting and neutralising a large-scale missile and drone attack launched by Pakistan on the night of May 9th and 10th, according to a press release from the Ministry of Defence.
The ministry said the attack targeted both military and civilian areas and was repelled without any of the projectiles hitting their intended targets. “By the time the enemy knew they were being watched, they were already being targeted,” the statement claimed.
Akashteer focuses on strategic warfare rather than raw power, according to the government. The integrated platform delivers instantaneous aerial surveillance data to all connected entities (control room, radars and Defence Gun), facilitating synchronised air defence activities. The system automates the process of detecting, monitoring and countering hostile aircraft, drones and missiles. It combines different radar mechanisms, sensors and communication systems into one unified operational structure.
The government further revealed that, Akashteer automates surveillance and response, and provides a real-time common air picture to various defence units. It is vehicle-mounted, enhancing mobility and allowing deployment in active combat zones.
The government said Akashteer was developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to reduce reliance on imports and increase indigenous capability. “What stood between them and their intended targets was not just technology, but years of commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the release said.
Pakistan, which reportedly used Chinese-supplied HQ-9 and HQ-16 systems, failed to intercept Indian counter-strikes during the exchange. Officials said the performance gap highlighted the strategic value of domestic defence systems tailored to Indian requirements.
Akashteer is part of a broader network that includes integration with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and the Indian Navy’s TRIGUN platform. This tri-services coordination is designed to reduce friendly fire incidents and improve response times.
The system also forms a component of India's wider C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) framework, a critical part of modern military operations.
Akashteer joins a growing list of indigenous platforms under development, including the Dhanush artillery system, ATAGS, MBT Arjun, LCA Tejas, ALH, and several naval platforms. According to the Ministry of Defence, 65 per cent of defence equipment is now produced domestically, compared to 30 to 35 per cent a decade ago.
India is targeting Rs 3 lakh crore in total defence production by 2029. The private sector now contributes 21 per cent of output, supported by 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), over 430 licensed companies, and about 16,000 MSMEs.
While Akashteer’s performance during Operation Sindoor is still being assessed in detail, officials say its use marks a transition in India’s approach from reactive defence to more proactive and integrated airspace control.
The newly operational automated air defence system, Akashteer, played a central role in intercepting and neutralising a large-scale missile and drone attack launched by Pakistan on the night of May 9th and 10th, according to a press release from the Ministry of Defence.
The ministry said the attack targeted both military and civilian areas and was repelled without any of the projectiles hitting their intended targets. “By the time the enemy knew they were being watched, they were already being targeted,” the statement claimed.
Akashteer focuses on strategic warfare rather than raw power, according to the government. The integrated platform delivers instantaneous aerial surveillance data to all connected entities (control room, radars and Defence Gun), facilitating synchronised air defence activities. The system automates the process of detecting, monitoring and countering hostile aircraft, drones and missiles. It combines different radar mechanisms, sensors and communication systems into one unified operational structure.
The government further revealed that, Akashteer automates surveillance and response, and provides a real-time common air picture to various defence units. It is vehicle-mounted, enhancing mobility and allowing deployment in active combat zones.
The government said Akashteer was developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to reduce reliance on imports and increase indigenous capability. “What stood between them and their intended targets was not just technology, but years of commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the release said.
Pakistan, which reportedly used Chinese-supplied HQ-9 and HQ-16 systems, failed to intercept Indian counter-strikes during the exchange. Officials said the performance gap highlighted the strategic value of domestic defence systems tailored to Indian requirements.
Akashteer is part of a broader network that includes integration with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and the Indian Navy’s TRIGUN platform. This tri-services coordination is designed to reduce friendly fire incidents and improve response times.
The system also forms a component of India's wider C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) framework, a critical part of modern military operations.
Akashteer joins a growing list of indigenous platforms under development, including the Dhanush artillery system, ATAGS, MBT Arjun, LCA Tejas, ALH, and several naval platforms. According to the Ministry of Defence, 65 per cent of defence equipment is now produced domestically, compared to 30 to 35 per cent a decade ago.
India is targeting Rs 3 lakh crore in total defence production by 2029. The private sector now contributes 21 per cent of output, supported by 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), over 430 licensed companies, and about 16,000 MSMEs.
While Akashteer’s performance during Operation Sindoor is still being assessed in detail, officials say its use marks a transition in India’s approach from reactive defence to more proactive and integrated airspace control.
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