Army starts induction of control, reporting systems under ‘Project Akashteer’

New Delhi: The Indian Army has started the induction of control and reporting systems under ‘Project Akashteer’ that aims to ensure the safety of friendly aircraft and engage hostile aerial objects in “contested airspace”, sources said on Thursday.

In the ‘Year of Technology Infusion’ (2024), the Army has boosted its air defence capabilities with ‘Akashteer Control and Reporting Systems’, they said.

‘Project Akashteer’ is a cutting-edge initiative designed to automate air defence control and reporting processes by digitising the entire process, the Army sources said.

The deployment of ‘Akashteer’ began with the flagging off of the first batch of control centres from BEL-Ghaziabad on Thursday.

Developed by the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, this project is poised to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and integration of the Army’s air defence mechanisms, the sources said.

By integrating radar and communication systems “at all levels” into a unified network, ‘Akashteer’ aims to deliver “an unprecedented level of situational awareness and control”, they said.

This will enable “swift engagement of hostile targets, significantly reduce the risk of fratricide, and ensure the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace”, according to the sources.

A noteworthy aspect of ‘Akashteer’ is its emphasis on mobility and resilience, a source said.

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