In a significant advancement towards modernising India’s defence capabilities, the Indian Army has successfully developed and initiated the phased induction of Project Akashteer. This ambitious initiative is a central part of the Army's "Decade of Transformation" and "Year of Tech Absorption," marking a major leap in strengthening India’s air defence network to tackle modern aerial threats with speed and precision.

A major step forward was taken recently with a real-time validation of Project Akashteer, where various future war scenarios were simulated to assess the system’s effectiveness. A senior officer from the military hierarchy was present during the validation process, where he praised the project’s development and commended the efforts of the team responsible for bringing Akashteer to life. He highlighted that Akashteer represents a transformative shift in the Indian Army's air defence capabilities.

Project Akashteer introduces an integrated, fully automated air defence system that promises unmatched responsiveness and reliability. One of the standout features of Akashteer is its ability to achieve a seamless fusion of air defence sensors from both the Army’s Air Defence (AAD) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). This "bottoms-up" integration creates a unified and real-time air picture, which is accessible even to the lowest operational units of Army Air Defence. The result is enhanced coordination and a sharper situational awareness across all force levels.

In air defence, every second counts. Akashteer replaces the need for manual data entry, streamlining the process for faster decision-making. By eliminating human input, the system can operate at peak efficiency, allowing rapid responses to fast-moving threats. To put this into perspective, an aircraft flying at supersonic speeds can cover 18 kilometres in just a minute – Akashteer ensures that no time is wasted in securing India’s airspace.

Akashteer decentralises the authority to engage hostile aircraft, giving frontline units the power to make rapid decisions. This feature ensures quicker response times while maintaining control over the risk of friendly-fire incidents. Such decentralisation is particularly vital for units stationed along India’s sensitive Northern and Eastern borders, which are already equipped with Akashteer systems.

Akashteer consolidates live data from various sources, such as 3D Tactical Radars, Low-Level Lightweight Radars, and the Akash Weapon System, to provide a multi-dimensional airspace view. This integrated air picture is crucial for both immediate threat response and long-term strategic planning, giving Indian forces a tactical advantage in defending the skies. The system is designed to maintain robust communication even under challenging conditions, thanks to its built-in redundancy. Moreover, Akashteer is future-proof, offering both hardware and software upgrades to ensure it evolves with new technological advancements and changing operational requirements.

Akashteer is designed for versatility, with mobile, adaptable platforms for strike formations and hardened, land-based systems for pivot formations. This flexibility ensures the system can effectively support a wide range of tactical scenarios, enhancing India's ability to defend its borders across various strategic fronts.

The phased induction of Akashteer is already well underway, with 107 systems delivered out of the total requirement of 455. An additional 105 systems are expected by March 2025, and the remaining units will be delivered by March 2027. This progressive rollout will ensure comprehensive coverage across the Indian Army’s defence units.

Through Project Akashteer, the Indian Army is solidifying its position at the cutting edge of air defence technology. This initiative not only enhances India’s ability to protect its skies but also underscores the ongoing commitment of India’s defence forces to innovate and adapt to the ever-evolving security challenges faced by the nation.