Operation Sindoor: How AI-Powered Air Defence System Akashteer Shielded India

On the midnight of May 7, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. 

Pakistan’s targeting of military and civilian areas of India following these strikes led to a brief conflict between the two countries which resulted in drone and missile strikes in both the countries, closure of airspace and several airports, a fall in the equity markets of both the countries, and more. 

While tensions keep simmering between the two nuclear-armed countries, which have fought four wars so far, from time to time, what stood out in the latest conflict was the use of hi-tech and indigenously-developed systems by India. It not only announced the arrival of Indian defence startups and companies to the global stage but also highlighted the way artificial intelligence (AI) is strengthening India’s defence tech capabilities.

In a statement on Monday (May 12), the Centre said that indigenous AI-powered air defence system, Akashteer, was one of the key air defence systems that helped the country stand strong against its neighbour’s large-scale attacks.

The Centre said that India’s multi-layered air defence, including the indigenous Akashteer system, shot down hundreds of drones and missiles, showcasing the country’s growing capabilities in the advanced defence systems arena.

“Believed to be the first operational AI-driven war-cloud developed entirely without foreign components or satellite dependencies, Akashteer showcases India’s growing technological self-reliance,” the All India Radio News said in a post on X earlier this week.

But, What Is Akashteer?

In March 2023, the defence ministry announced signing three contracts with public sector defence companies Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) worth about INR 5,400 Cr. 

One of these contracts included procurement of Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System ‘Project Akashteer’ for the Indian Army from BEL at INR 1,982 Cr.

The indigenously-built air defence system has been jointly developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and BEL.

In November 2024, PTI reported that a phased introduction of Akashteer was underway. 

While 107 out of the 455 systems were delivered by then, an additional 105 were expected to be delivered by March 2025. The remaining systems were to be delivered by March 2027 to equip the Indian armed forces with the automated defence tech system.

Equipped with AI, Akashteer offers rapid responses to fast-moving aerial threats, without the need for human intervention or manual inputs. Besides, it also has real-time imaging capabilities. It can consolidate live data from various sources such as 3D tactical radars, low-level lightweight radars, and the Akash Weapon System (more on this later), to provide a multi-dimensional view of the airspace, enabling faster and more accurate threat responses.

As per a report by news agency ANI last year, Akashteer has also achieved “bottoms-up” fusion of all air defence sensors, which combines land-based sensors from the Army Air Defence as well as the Indian Air Force (IAF), ensuring a seamless and unified air picture that is accessible across the force, hence enhancing coordination.

The Other Akash Shield

Complementing the much-touted Akashteer is India’s Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and Air Defence systems. One of the key pieces of this ecosystem is the indigenously-developed Akash Weapon System (AWS). 

Developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), AWS is a complete air defence package that includes Akash missile, associated radars, command and control elements, and mobile platforms from which the missile is fired. 

It was the Akash missile, a short-range surface-to-air missile, which protected India during the latest conflict with Pakistan. The missile can engage multiple aerial targets such as enemy aircraft, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and has a range of 4.5 km to 25 km.

The DRDO claims that Akash is 96% “Made in India”, one of the highest proportions of indigeneity in advanced Indian weapon systems. As per a report, more than “250 industries” are engaged in the production and supply of various subsystems and components of Akash. 

Alongside, DRDO-developed surveillance drones Rustom, a family of medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) and high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAVs, kept a hawk’s eye on the country’s border areas. 

Then, there were “Nagastra” drones, made by Nagpur-based Solar Industries and Bengaluru-based ZMotion, which also were a part of Operation Sindoor. The “loitering munition” (also known as ‘suicide drones’ or ‘kamikaze drones’) can hover over a designated area, identify and lock onto targets before launching a precise attack. 

Is Akashteer A “Seismic Shift In Warfare Strategy”?

DD News, in a post on X, said this week that experts across the world have deemed Akashteer “a seismic shift in warfare strategy”.

While 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’s technology allows monitoring of low-level airspace in battle areas and efficient control of ground-based Air Defence Weapon Systems, the post said. 

“It is also capable of intercepting and neutralising hostile UAVs without detection, using no active radar signatures. It relied entirely on stealth drone tracking, satellite surveillance, and AI-based decision-making.”

Meanwhile, BEL, in a post on X, said, “…our in-house designed & manufactured Air Defence System, Akashteer, has proved its mettle in the war-field… The system performed beyond users’ expectations, providing robust Air Defence to India during the current conflict. Akashteer ensures a seamless & unified air situation picture accessible to the lowest operational units of Army AD, enhancing situational awareness across the force.”

It is pertinent to note that the use of AI in defence started a few years back in India, but it has been largely restricted to drones for border surveillance so far. Now, with the success of Akashteer, AI has taken a step ahead as it is combat proven. 

Not only that, the on-ground demonstration of Akashteer can also be viewed as a major push for India’s growing defence tech ecosystem, including the startups. 

Reflecting this sentiment, the Centre said in a statement on Thursday (May 14), “Operation Sindoor is not just a story of tactical success. It is a validation of India’s defence indigenization policies… the fusion of private-sector innovation, public-sector execution, and military vision has enabled India to not only defend its people and territory but also assert its role as a hi-tech military power in the 21st century.” 

Today, India is home to innumerable defence tech startups, including ideaForge, Tonbo Imaging, IG Drones, NewSpace Research, Sagar Defence Engineering, Big Bang Boom, Optimized Electrotech, and many more, that are working in areas like drones, surveillance systems, aircraft components, among others, to equip the country with tech-first defence systems.

Following the demonstration of India’s defence tech capabilities during ‘Operation Sindoor’, defence stocks in the equity market saw a sharp jump. Nifty India Defence index has surged by about 20% in ten days despite broader market volatility.

Listed drone tech startup ideaForge, which also operates in the defence segment, saw a massive 56% surge in its shares from May 7.

As India’s defence tech market strengthens, AI-based cybersecurity startups are also expected to witness a massive opportunity going forward.

Meanwhile, the successful showcase of India’s defence tech capabilities also primes up Indian startups and companies for exports. As per defence minister Rajnath Singh’s office, India’s defence exports jumped to INR 23,622 Cr in FY25 from INR 686 Cr in FY14, representing a 34X rise. This gives an idea of what the upcoming decade holds for the sector, especially after the “clear-cut victory” for India in this conflict.

[Edited By Vinaykumar Rai]