New Delhi: In a major move towards modernizing India’s defense capabilities, the Indian Army has developed Project Akashteer, which has been inducted into the army in a phased manner. This project is a key component of the Indian Army’s long-standing initiatives, ‘Decade of Transformation’ and ‘Year of Tech Absorption.’
Project Akashteer aims to provide India with a robust and responsive air defense network, designed to address contemporary aerial threats with agility and precision.
It introduces a fully automated and integrated air defence system, offering unparalleled responsiveness and reliability.
Akashteer has achieved a “bottoms-up” fusion of all air defence sensors, integrating land-based sensors from both the Army Air Defence (AAD) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). This ensures a seamless and unified air picture that is accessible to the lowest operational units of Army AD, enhancing coordination and situational awareness across the force.
In air defence, every second is critical. Akashteer’s automation replaces manual data entry, which previously consumed precious time. With no human input required, the system operates at maximum efficiency, allowing timely responses to fast-moving aerial threats. To illustrate, an aircraft at supersonic speeds can travel up to 18 kilometres in a single minute—Akashteer ensures that not a moment is lost in defence readiness.
The ongoing roll-out of Akashteer is pacing steadily. Out of a total requirement for 455 of these advanced systems, 107 have already been handed over, and another 105 are anticipated to arrive by March of 2025. The rest of the units are on track to be delivered by March 2027, a move that promises to enhance the potency of defense units and formations across the Indian Army.
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