Context

The Indian Army has initiated the induction of control and reporting systems under ‘Project Akashteer’ to bolster its air defence capabilities. 

• Year of Technology Absorption: The Indian Army has declared 2024 as the ‘Year of Technology Absorption‘ and is undertaking various initiatives to induct niche technology and systems into its inventory. 

About Project Akashteer

• Developed by: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) 
• Project Akashteer Aim: To automate air defense control and reporting processes by digitizing them with an emphasis on mobility and resilience.
  • This will enable swift engagement of hostile targets, significantly reduce the risk of fratricide, and ensure the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace.
• Mobile Vehicle-Based Control Centers: The system’s control centres, designed to be vehicle-based and mobile, can maintain operational capabilities even in challenging communication environments. 
  • The system will facilitate the complete automation of air defense operations and significantly enhance India’s air defense posture.

How Will it Help India’s Air Defense System?

• Efficiency and Integration: By digitizing Air Defence Control and Reporting processes, ‘Akashteer’ promises to introduce efficiency and integration empowering the Indian Army to promptly address hostile threats while mitigating the likelihood of friendly fire incidents.
• Situational Awareness: It integrates radar and communication systems into a unified network, providing the Indian Army with unprecedented situational awareness. 
  • This will enable them to detect and engage hostile targets more effectively, ensuring the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace.
• Mobility and Resilience: The system’s vehicle-based and mobile Control Centers are designed to maintain operational capabilities even in challenging communication environments. 
  • This ensures that the Indian Army can operate effectively in diverse terrain and under adverse conditions.
• Automation: Overall, the deployment of ‘Akashteer’ represents a significant stride towards achieving full automation in air defense operations. 
  • This advancement will bolster the Indian Army’s capability to safeguard its airspace, thereby guaranteeing a safer and more secure future for the nation.

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