NEW DELHI, MAY 16, 2025: How could India hit 13 targets, including 8 air bases, so precisely inside various strategic locations in Pakistan so precisely? How did Pakistan fail so miserably? These questions have rattled the experts across the world. On the intervening night of 9″ & 10. May, when Pakistan unleashed its deadliest attack against Indian Military & Civilian areas with missiles and drones, they were challenged by the impenetrable, the Indian wall of Self Defence — Akashteer.
It was Akashteer, which stopped all Pakistani inbound airborne drones, missiles. other micro UAVs and other loitering munitions and prevented them from entering the Indian airspace. Akashteer is a completely indigenous product showcasing India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat prowess. Compared to Akashteer, Pakistan’s air defence response consisted of HQ-9 & HQ-16 proved to be a failure to detect our projectiles & intercept them timely manner, resulting in heavy losses. ‘Akashteer’, the fully autonomous defence system, successfully and in real-time, target interception and indulged in drone warfare.
Akashteer provides a common, real-time air picture to all involved parties (control room, radars, and an air Defence Gun), enabling coordinated air defence operations. It is a system designed to automate detection, tracking and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones and missiles. It integrates various radar systems, sensors and communication technologies into a single operational framework. Akashteer gathers data from multiple sources, processes it and allows for automated, real-time engagement decisions. Akashteer is part of the broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) framework, working in coordination with other systems.
Akashteer’s brilliance lies not in brute force but in intelligent warfare. Traditional models of air defence rely heavily on ground-based radars, human-monitored systems, and surface-to-air missile batteries triggered by command chains. Akashteer breaks that mould, its technology allows for monitoring of low-level airspace in battle areas and efficient control of Ground-Based Air Defence Weapon Systems. Akashteer adds a new chapter to our strategic doctrine, indicating a shift from defensive posturing to proactive retaliation against terror threats. The Prime Minister had made it clear that nuclear Pakistan cannot blackmail India and, if need be, we will retaliate to root out terrorism from inside their territory. Akashteer’s presence in our military assets exudes confidence that it gives a clear edge over terror-sponsoring state Pakistan’s air defence capabilities.
Experts across the world are now terming Akashteer as “a seismic shift in warfare strategy”. With this. India has joined the elite club of Nations with fully automated & integrated AD C&R capability. In one line, Akashteer has demonstrated that it sees, decides, and strikes faster than anything the world has fielded. The system is vehicle-based, which makes it mobile and easier to handle in a hostile environment. The integration of multiple elements reduces the possibility of friendly fire, enabling quick engagement of hostile targets and guaranteeing friendly aircraft in contested airspace. The sensors integrated include Tactical Control Radar REPORTER, 3D Tactical Control Radars, Low-Level Lightweight Radar and the radar of the Akash Weapon System.
The most disruptive element of Akashteer is its ability to absorb data from multiple feeds- weather, terrain, radar intercepts and make real-time decisions, reroute missions, and execute attacks autonomously. “This is beyond anything we’ve seen before”, said many Pakistani defence experts, which is equivocally echoed by many across the globe. Akashteer gives a seamless and unified air picture to the lowest operational units of the Army Air Defence (AAD), which enhances coordination and situational awareness across the force. Akashteer also increases automation and efficiency by eliminating human inputs and decentralising.
The integration of AD C&R network of IAF (IACCS), IN (TRIGUN) & IA (AKASHTEER) has resulted in unparallel enhancement in Battlefield Transparency and ensured coordinated employment of kinetic & non- kinetic Ground Based Air Defence Weapon Systems across the spectrum.
