The Indian Army has initiated the induction of control and reporting systems under ‘Project Akashteer’ to bolster its air defense capabilities. This project aims to deliver an unprecedented level of situational awareness and control for the force to ensure the safety of friendly aircraft and engage hostile aircraft in contested airspace.

The deployment of ‘Akashteer’ began with the flagging off of the first batch of control centers from BEL-Ghaziabad. Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, this project is poised to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and integration of the Army’s air defense mechanisms.

‘Project Akashteer’ is a cutting-edge initiative designed to automate air defense control and reporting processes by digitizing them. By integrating radar and communication systems at all levels into a unified network, ‘Akashteer’ aims to deliver an unprecedented level of situational awareness and control.

This will enable swift engagement of hostile targets, significantly reduce the risk of fratricide, and ensure the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace. A noteworthy aspect of ‘Akashteer’ is its emphasis on mobility and resilience.

The system’s control centers, designed to be vehicle-based and mobile, can maintain operational capabilities even in challenging communication environments. The system will facilitate the achievement of complete automation of air defense operations and significantly enhance the air defense posture of India.

The induction of the systems has commenced in the Indian Army’s Corps of Army Air Defense, marking a significant move towards enhancing India’s defense capabilities and technology absorption.Here’s how it will help India’s air defence system? The ‘Akashteer Command and Control Systems’ will significantly enhance India’s air defense capabilities in several ways:

1. Efficiency and Integration: By digitizing Air Defence Control and Reporting processes, ‘Akashteer’ will usher in unprecedented levels of efficiency and integration. This will enable the Indian Army to respond swiftly to hostile threats while minimizing the risk of friendly fire incidents.
2. Situational Awareness: ‘Akashteer’ integrates radar and communication systems into a unified network, providing the Indian Army with unprecedented situational awareness. This will enable them to detect and engage hostile targets more effectively, ensuring the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace.
3. Mobility and Resilience: The system’s vehicle-based and mobile Control Centers are designed to maintain operational capabilities even in challenging communication environments. This ensures that the Indian Army can operate effectively in diverse terrain and under adverse conditions.
4. Automation: Overall, the deployment of ‘Akashteer’ signifies a leap towards complete automation of air defense operations. This will enhance the Indian Army’s ability to defend its airspace, ensuring a safer and more secure future for the country.

The Indian Army has declared 2024 as the ‘Year of Technology Absorption’ and is undertaking various initiatives to induct niche technology and systems into its inventory. The induction of ‘Akashteer’ control centers is one of the major milestones achieved by the Army on its path to transformation to meet the current and futuristic requirements of complex air defense operations.

Meanwhile, top commanders of the Army have decided to explore the feasibility of creating a tailor-made organization to function as an “adversarial force” to carry out realistic war-gaming and training. This is part of overall efforts to enhance the force’s combat prowess to deal with future security challenges.