In a significant move to modernise the Indian Army's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially launched the Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) named ‘SANJAY’ on Friday in New Delhi. The announcement was made through a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence.

This advanced system is designed to enhance battlefield transparency significantly, providing Army Commands and Headquarters with precise, real-time situational awareness through a centralised web-based platform.

With modern sensors and advanced analytical tools, SANJAY can monitor extensive stretches along land borders, detect intrusions and deliver exceptional situational awareness.

The system will serve as a vital force multiplier for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, bolstering the Army’s ability to perform effectively in traditional and non-traditional operations within a network-centric framework.

This groundbreaking technology signifies a significant leap toward data-driven, network-centric warfare. It empowers commanders with real-time intelligence, enabling swift and informed decision-making. The SANJAY system is expected to transform future battlefields by providing a technological edge that enhances the Army’s operational efficiency and overall effectiveness.

The SANJAY system has been developed indigenously through a joint effort between the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), in line with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative. This development supports the Indian Army’s announcement of 2025 as the ‘Year of Technology Absorption,’ further showcasing India’s growing technological capabilities.

The system will be deployed across operational Brigades, Divisions and Corps of the Indian Army in three phases from March to October 2025. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) declared this timeline the ‘Year of Reforms.’ The project has been executed under the Buy (Indian) category at an estimated cost of Rs 2,402 crore.

The flagging-off ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of BEL Manoj Jain, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and BEL.

Named SANJAY, this advanced automated system integrates data from multiple ground and aerial sensors. The collected inputs are processed to ensure high accuracy, avoid redundancy, and provide a consolidated surveillance view of the battlefield. This unified view is available through the Army Data Network and Satellite Communication Network.