Project Akashteer is a new automation initiative within the Indian Army Air Defence (AAD) aimed at building a comprehensive air defense picture for monitoring, tracking, and shooting down air defense assets.
The project is influenced by the Indian Army's shift of focus from the western borders to the northern borders following the 2020 standoff with China and lessons learned from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The contract for Akashteer, worth nearly ₹2,000 crore, was signed in March 2023, and the implementation is expected to be completed by March 2024.
The project aims to integrate all radars and control centers of AAD, eliminate duplications and overlaps, and integrate all weapons to provide a comprehensive air defense solution.
Akashteer will establish communication with the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System network.
The air defense requirements on the northern borders are different from the western front, necessitating lightweight radars and weapon systems with mobility for deployment in mountainous regions.
Lessons from the war in Ukraine have highlighted new threats to air defense, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, swarm drones, and cruise missiles.
The Indian Army is focusing on acquiring laser beam-riding Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) and gallium nitride-based modules for radars to enhance its capabilities in mountainous terrain.
The procurement process for new surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, including improved Akash SAMs, has been initiated to address emerging threats.
These SAM systems are tailor-made for mountain warfare.
However, there may be potential challenges due to a worldwide shortage of components and hardware for air defense systems, including radar chips, which could affect manufacturing and delivery timelines.
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