Akashteer, India's automated air defence control and reporting system, redefines modern warfare

India’s fully indigenous, automated air defence control and reporting system, Akashteer, played a crucial role in thwarting Pakistan's aerial attacks, intercepting and neutralising every inbound projectile during the recent military stand-off between the two countries.

Akashteer, which is at the core of the Indian Army’s air defence (AAD) system, stopped a barrage of missiles and drones from Pakistan on the night of May 9 and 10, acting like an invisible shield.

Akashteer is part of the broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) framework, working in coordination with other systems. The system can automatically detect, track and engage enemy aircraft, drones and missiles. Akashteer gathers data from various sources, processes it and allows for automated, real-time engagement decisions.

Integrated with sensors like Tactical Control Radar (Reporter), stand-alone medium range all weather Surveillance Radar 3D TCR, Low-Level Lightweight Radar and the radar of Akash Weapon System, Akashteer offers a common, real-time air picture to the security forces on the ground and in the control rooms, enabling coordinated air defense operations.

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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.

Akashteer, which is being billed as a “seismic shift in warfare strategy,” connects smoothly with the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy’s advanced maritime domain awareness system Trigun, enabling the quick and effective use of both offensive and defensive weapons.

Manufactured by state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Akashteer was inducted into the Indian Army around a year ago.

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, the Union ministry of information and broadcasting said.

Defence