Modern warfare is no longer fought only on land or sea. The real battle begins in the air, often silently, within seconds. To dominate this invisible domain, India has developed Akashteer a fully automated, indigenous Air Defence Control and Reporting System that quietly stands guard over the nation’s borders.
Developed jointly by BEL, DRDO and ISRO, Akashteer is primarily operated by the Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) of the Indian Army. Its core purpose is simple yet critical: to integrate and control fragmented air defence assets deployed across combat zones and to maintain continuous surveillance of low-level airspace in real time. In essence, Akashteer acts as the nervous system of India’s battlefield air defence.
Before Akashteer came into existence, air defence operations were heavily dependent on human coordination. Radar operators would detect aerial objects and then verbally relay information to command centres. From there, instructions were passed down again to air defence weapon stations. This chain, though effective for its time, was slow, vulnerable to human error, and consumed precious minutes minutes that modern aerial threats do not afford.
Akashteer changed this paradigm completely.
The system integrates a wide range of surveillance and sensor assets that earlier functioned in isolation. Low Level Lightweight Radars, 3D Tactical Control Radars, Akash Weapon System radars, optical sensors and even satellite feeds are fused into a single digital network. Akashteer collects raw data from all these sources and converts it into one unified, real-time picture of the battlefield airspace.
If two different radars detect the same aerial target, Akashteer intelligently correlates the inputs, removes duplication and generates a single, accurate 3D track. This fused air picture allows commanders to see exactly what is happening, where it is happening and how fast the situation is evolving all on one screen.
Once the battlefield picture is formed, the system automatically invokes the Identification Friend or Foe mechanism to eliminate the risk of fratricide. Every detected object is scrutinized before being classified as hostile, neutral or friendly. This step alone dramatically improves operational safety.
At the heart of Akashteer lies its decision making engine. Using rule-based artificial intelligence, the system analyses all hostile targets and prioritizes them based on lethality, speed, altitude and time to impact. It does not stop at threat evaluation. The AI also determines which air defence unit is best suited to engage the target, considering factors such as weapon type, engagement envelope, angle of attack and available ammunition.
Once the optimal weapon system is selected, Akashteer issues instant digital orders to that unit. The weapons automatically slew towards the designated coordinates and remain locked on target, awaiting final human authorization. Despite the sophistication behind the scenes, the operator’s interface is minimal often requiring nothing more than a laptop screen and a few trained personnel.
Akashteer is built on the core principles of C4ISR. Command is decentralized, ensuring survivability and flexibility during combat. Control is automated through AI-driven workflows that manage operations at machine speed. Communication runs through secure network pipelines and is integrated with the Indian Air Force’s IACCS, enabling seamless joint operations. Computing power processes massive volumes of raw sensor data in real time, converting it into actionable intelligence. Continuous surveillance and reconnaissance ensure that targets are not just detected, but constantly verified and tracked.
To understand its real-world impact, consider a practical scenario. Along the Pakistan border, multiple air defence assets remain connected through the Akashteer network. An enemy fighter aircraft attempts infiltration through the Gurdaspur sector in Punjab. Local radars detect and classify the threat, but missile systems capable of engaging a fast moving fighter are not available in that sector. Within seconds, Akashteer identifies the nearest unit equipped with Akash or QRSAM, evaluates engagement geometry and issues firing orders to that station. The response is swift, precise and coordinated without frantic radio calls or manual relays.
The strength of Akashteer lies in speed, integration and clarity. Reaction time has been reduced from minutes to mere seconds. Mounted on mobile platforms, the system is highly agile and suited for dynamic battlefields. It requires only two to three operators, drastically reducing human workload while increasing effectiveness. Most importantly, it presents the entire air battle on a single screen, enabling commanders to make informed decisions under pressure.
In an era where aerial threats are faster, stealthier and more unpredictable, Akashteer represents India’s quiet confidence in indigenous defence technology. It does not roar like a missile or streak across the sky like a fighter jet. Instead, it watches, thinks and decides acting as an invisible shield that guards the nation before the enemy even realizes it has been seen.
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