Indian Army’s Project Akashteer Advances India’s Air Defence Capabilities, Phased Induction Underway

New Delhi, India - In a monumental leap for India's defence modernization, Indian Army has launched Project Akashteer, a next-generation air defence system designed to revolutionize India’s air security capabilities. Part of Army’s “Dece of Transformation” and “Year of Tech Absorption,” this initiative is aligned with India’s goals to dress contemporary aerial threats with speed, accuracy, and precision.

system underwent rigorous real-time validation recently, showcasing its capabilities in a simulation that mimicked potential future combat scenarios. A senior military official, present at validation, praised project team for ir dedication and remarked on Akashteer’s transformative role in elevating India’s air defence reiness.  

Project Highlights and Strategic vants

1. Comprehensive Sensor Fusion: Akashteer integrates a wide range of air defence sensors from both Indian Army’s Air Defence (A) and Indian Air Force (IAF). This seamless “bottoms-up” fusion ensures that a consolidated and real-time air picture is available across force, from senior commanders to smallest operational units. This unified air view enhances situational awareness, allowing for better-coordinated and precise threat response.  
2. Automated Operations for Speed and Precision: In modern air defence, timing is crucial. Akashteer’s automation feature eliminates delay of manual data entry, ensuring system operates at maximum efficiency. For example, an enemy aircraft at supersonic speed can cover 18 kilometres in a single minute, leaving room for manual intervention. Akashteer’s automated data processing allows for rapid identification and response, ensuring India’s air defences are rey at every second.  
3. Decentralised Engment Authority: A critical vant of Akashteer is its decentralised engment protocol, which allows front-line units to make immediate engment decisions without waiting for central command authorization. This automy empowers soldiers in critical zones, such as those in rrn and Eastern Commands, to respond swiftly while retaining control measures to prevent friendly-fire incidents. This feature is particularly beneficial for securing high-threat areas along contested borders.  
4. vanced Real-Time Air Picture: system aggregates data from multiple vanced sources, including 3D Tactical Rars, Low-Level Lightweight Rars, and Akash Weapon System, delivering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional view of air. This real-time, layered air picture aids both strategic planning and immediate decision-making, ensuring Indian forces are equipped with most accurate and timely information to safeguard India’s skies.  
5. Built-in Redundancy and Scalability: Akashteer is designed with inherent redundancy to maintain communications even under hostile conditions. In dition, its software and hardware are built for scalability, making system aptable to future techlogical vancements and operational shifts. This aptability ensures that Akashteer will remain a cornerstone of India’s air defence for years to come.  
6. Flexible Deployment for Varied Tactical Needs: Akashteer offers deployment flexibility to cater to diverse tactical requirements. Mobile platforms are available for strike formations, while hardened, land-based systems have been provided for pivot formations. This aptability allows Akashteer to support a bro spectrum of operational scenarios, reinforcing India’s multi-front defence posture.  

Induction Timeline and Future Reiness  

phased induction of Project Akashteer is well underway. Of total 455 systems required, 107 have alrey been deployed, with ar 105 slated for delivery by March 2025. remaining units are expected to be inducted by March 2027, progressively expanding air defence cover across Army’s units and formations. 

Project Akashteer exemplifies Indian Army's commitment to techlogical invation and its strategic pivot towards self-reliance in defence. By embracing vanced automation, decentralization, and real-time data integration, Indian Army is positioning itself as a regional leer in air defence techlogy. As Akashteer’s rollout continues, India will benefit from an enhanced, vigilant air, rey to counter any evolving threats.