Latest news with #Akashteer
The Print
11-06-2025
- The Print
CISC Air Marshal Dixit sums up Op Sindoor lessons—traditional battlefield ideas ‘irrelevant'
Speaking at a seminar on surveillance and electro-optics, jointly organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) and Indian Military Review (IMR) in the national capital, he emphasised that modern surveillance capabilities must now allow the military to detect, track and identify threats while they are still in staging areas, airfields or bases deep within adversary territory. 'When weapons can strike targets hundreds of kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy, the classical ideas of front, rear, and flanks become irrelevant. The front of the theatre merges into one,' he said. 'This new reality demands that we extend our surveillance envelope far beyond what previous generations could have imagined.' New Delhi: Traditional battlefield concepts such as frontlines, depth areas, and rear zones are no longer relevant in an era defined by long-range precision strikes and real-time surveillance, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said Wednesday. 'This existed as a concept earlier, but today we have the means to realise it,' he said. Speaking on the achievements of Operation Sindoor, he said, 'The operation had clearly demonstrated that indigenous innovation, when properly harnessed, can match and even exceed international benchmarks.' He added that at the core of the success was IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which was also synced and integrated with the Army's Akashteer system, providing a joint and integrated approach to the air defence of the nation. 'In modern warfare, information without the ability to act upon it rapidly is of limited value. IACCS compressed our sensor-to-shooter timelines dramatically, enabling responses that outpaced adversary decision cycles,' said Air Marshal Dixit. 'The result was clear—not a single Pakistani aircraft breached our airspace, while our precision strikes successfully degraded their AD capabilities and aerial infrastructure. This success was not accidental but the result of years of indigenous development, rigorous testing and continuous refinement and demonstrated the importance of self-reliance in national security.' On the lessons from the conflict early last month, Air Marshal Dixit emphasised that the operation reaffirmed the centrality of surveillance in modern conflict. 'Operation Sindoor demonstrated how modern warfare has fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability. Precision-guided munitions like SCALP, BrahMos and HAMMER, as well as beyond visual range air-to-air and supersonic ground-attack missiles, have rendered geographical barriers nearly meaningless.' He added, 'When hypersonic missiles travel hundreds of kilometres in minutes, and drone swarms reach targets before decisions can be made, real-time or near-real-time surveillance becomes not just helpful, but critical for survival.' Drawing parallels from recent global conflicts, including between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, Air Marshal Dixit noted that superior situational awareness has consistently tipped the balance in favour of the side with better eyes on the battlefield. He further underlined the emerging role of space-based assets and emerging technologies in enhancing India's surveillance architecture. He further highlighted the foresight of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in enabling private sector participation, especially through the transfer of Optical Imaging System technology. 'This has already resulted in compact, long-range surveillance platforms that increase operational flexibility. I urge companies to see themselves not just as vendors, but as partners in national security,' he said. Looking at the future, he added that India's existing MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) and HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) platforms, and MQ-9, Rustom and TAPAS unmanned aerial vehicles, must evolve with modular payloads, advanced sensor fusion and artificial intelligence-assisted analysis to provide battlefield commanders with timely, actionable intelligence. Lt Gen Vineet Gaur, director general (capability development), who was also present at the event highlighted that, of the 52 spy satellites that India is expected to launch in the coming years, 31 will be built by private sector firms. 'This marks a shift in our approach to defence modernisation, one that is faster, more agile and more collaborative with the private industry,' he said. 'These satellites will be equipped with cutting-edge camera lenses, advanced sensors and a suite of modern technologies to enhance India's situational awareness and defence preparedness.' He also emphasised the prioritisation of underwater surveillance, especially in light of Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 'Our electro-optical platforms must be all-weather and all-domain. Cyber resilience and a common data language are also key for interoperability.' Air Vice Marshal Tejpal Singh, assistant chief of air staff (plans), who was also part of the panel, emphasised the critical role of advanced surveillance and technology in modern warfare. He further noted that enhanced battlefield imagery and robust monitoring systems have become essential to operational effectiveness. 'We need to integrate our surveillance systems in the same way our air defence systems are integrated. Only then can we achieve true synergy and interoperability,' he said. (Edited by Sanya Mathur) Also Read: Defence ministry plans own Raisina Dialogue-style conference—Ran Samvad, likely to be held in August
India Today
08-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
PM Modi 3.0: A resounding mandate for a stronger, bolder, rising Bharat
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath on June 9, 2024, for a historic third consecutive term, he didn't just make history, he shattered every political myth built by the opposition over the last decade. In a post-COVID world where no major global leader could return to power, Modi emerged not only victorious but undefeated and unshaken. In a country where no Prime Minister in the last 50 years had achieved three consecutive terms, the people once again placed their full trust in one man, Narendra Modi 3.0, India's internal and external security has undergone a tectonic shift. The days of reacting to terror with dossiers and diplomatic notes are over. Today, terror is answered with tactical precision and overwhelming force. The world watched as Operation Sindoor redefined India's war doctrine. Nine cross-border terror hubs, linked to 25 years of attacks on India and other nations, were dismantled. Over 100 terrorists were neutralised. This was not mere retribution; it was a clear change in India's war doctrine: India now treats any act of terror as an act of war. This transformation was further strengthened by the deployment of indigenously built defence systems like Akashteer, a symbol of India's growing military self-reliance. Defence exports, which were Rs 686 crore in 2013, have surged past Rs 23,000 crore in 2025, with more than 90 countries now sourcing India's defence technology. India is no longer just a defender but a global supplier of milestones have followed in step with these security achievements. What past regimes promised for 2047, Modi 3.0 delivered in 2025. India is now a $4 trillion economy, the world's fourth-largest, proving that with vision and resolve, timelines can be compressed and milestones accelerated. Foreign exchange reserves have soared to $700 billion, reflecting deep financial resilience. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) stands at a 10-month high, signaling robust industrial growth. In a move that stunned critics and delighted the masses, the Union Budget abolished income tax for incomes up to Rs 12 lakh, a historic relief to India's middle class, igniting a surge in consumption, savings, and investment. This growing economic strength translated into unprecedented political success. In state after state, the BJP-led NDA expanded its footprint, demolishing long-standing political strongholds and rewriting electoral history, all fought and won under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. In Maharashtra, the alliance secured over 79% of assembly seats, reaffirming its grip over India's industrial powerhouse. In Haryana, the BJP achieved the unprecedented feat of forming the government for a third consecutive term. Perhaps the most symbolic breakthrough came in Delhi, where the BJP returned to power after 27 years, ending decades of politics built on populism, freebies, and false promises. These victories were not isolated regional wins; they were united national endorsements for Modi's leadership, fought in his name and sealed by the people's Modi 3.0 government has also demonstrated political strength by passing some of the most contentious bills in recent history with absolute authority and without disruption in both Houses of Parliament. The Waqf Amendment Bill, long suppressed under layers of political appeasement, was decisively enacted to restore land rights and dignity to neglected Muslim sects, especially Muslim women, ending decades of the bold announcement of a nationwide Caste Census alongside the decadal census, Modi 3.0 shattered the status quo. Previous regimes merely exploited the caste census as a cynical vote-bank tool; this government seized it as a powerful instrument for data-driven governance, evidence-based policymaking, and true social empowerment, boldly moving beyond divisive politics.A major step towards long-term reform came when the Cabinet approved the long-pending One Nation, One Election proposal. This reform, long overdue, promises to eliminate policy stagnation, reduce election costs, and ensure smoother governance nationwide. Only a government with political will and a long-term vision could push this internal security story is no less remarkable. Once infamous as a Left-Wing Extremism hub, Bastar is now nearly free from Naxal terror. Through a combination of precise operations, development initiatives, and inclusive governance, the government has broken the backbone of the red corridor. The promise to make India entirely Naxal-free is no longer a slogan, it is rapidly becoming a reality. The number of LWE-affected districts reduced from 126 to 90 in April 2018, 70 in July 2021, and further to 38 in April 2024. Out of the total Naxalism-affected districts, the number of the most affected districts has been reduced from 12 to projects, too, tell a story of transformation. From the strategic Wadhwan port to the ambitious Polavaram Project, from the engineering marvel of the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, to the Z-Morh tunnel enhancing border connectivity, India is witnessing the largest and most integrated infrastructure revolution since Independence. These are not mere construction efforts, they are milestones in term is not just about continuity but marks a new high watermark in India's journey. Modi 3.0 is firmer in resolve, sharper in delivery, and more unstoppable in ambition. With unparalleled political capital, global credibility, and the unshakable trust of the people, this government is rewriting the rules of governance, redefining national security, and reimagining India's opposition leaders were saying that Modi 3.0 wouldn't match the momentum of his earlier terms. But PM Modi 3.0 emerges as a resounding mandate for a stronger, bolder, rising Bharat has proven otherwise, emerging as a more assertive, far-reaching, and visionary phase of leadership. With greater political consolidation, bold reforms, and a renewed national agenda, this third term is not just continuing the legacy but accelerating it, reaffirming the people's enduring trust in Modi's leadership.(Pradeep Bhandari is the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party.) (Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)Must Watch
India.com
03-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Why Russia's S-400 Failed To Counter Ukrainian Drones; What India Got Right With Its Layered Air Defense
New Delhi: On June 1, 2025, the world witnessed an eye-opening breach of Russia's military defenses. Launched from inside hidden containers, Ukrainian drones penetrated more than 4,000 kilometers deep into Russian territory and hit multiple airbases in an operation code named 'Spider Web'. At least 40 Russian aircraft were destroyed. It assault left global military analysts stunned. But more shocking than the attack was the failure of Russia's vaunted S-400 and S-500 air defense systems. These high-end platforms, touted as some of the best in the world, could not stop a fleet of low-flying and autonomous drones. Why? The S-400's Blind Spot Russia's failure was not purely a technological one, it was strategic. The S-400 is built to intercept high-altitude threats such as enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. But it falters against low-flying and slow-moving drones that often fly below radar coverage. Add to that the lack of low-level air defense, a unified command system and real-time threat intelligence and even the most advanced system becomes vulnerable. In essence, the S-400 was looking too far, while the real danger was up close. Having observed global battlefield trends and drawn key lessons from conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, India has adopted a more adaptive strategy. Instead of relying solely on high-tech imports like the S-400, India has built a layered and integrated air defense model. This strategy was tested and validated during the recent Operation Sindoor, where India not only thwarted a multi-pronged drone and missile attack from Pakistan but also launched a precise counterstrike that neutralised enemy radars, HQ-9 systems and terrorist camps. The Game-Changer At the centre of India's new defense posture lies Akashteer, a real-time and automated air defense control system developed indigenously. It is more than a radar. It is a command nerve center that connects the Air Force, the Army and the Navy on a single grid. Akashteer tracks, prioritises and assigns aerial threats to the most suitable interceptor, be it a missile, drone or gun, within seconds. Its key advantages include 360-degree coverage against drones, aircraft and cruise missiles, faster decision-making and automated threat response, seamless coordination among all armed services and reduced risk of friendly fire, Old Meets New One of the unsung heroes of Operation Sindoor was the upgraded L-70 anti-aircraft gun. Originally introduced decades ago, it has now been modernised with electronic fire control systems and target-tracking radars. These guns are now capable of shooting down drones and helicopters flying as low as 3,000 metres. Complementing this is the Akash missile system, designed to take out threats up to 25 km away. When deployed together in a 'battle grid', they cover both low-level intrusions and high-flying aerial threats – something the S-400 cannot do alone. Why This Mix-Match Formula Matters The future of warfare is asymmetric. From drone swarms launched from shipping containers to precision attacks from behind enemy lines, conventional systems like the S-400 are no longer enough. India's terrain and adversaries, ranging from China in the northeast to Pakistan in the west, require a multi-threat, all-weather and all-altitude defense approach. A single-tier system simply cannot cover such a wide spectrum. What also sets India apart is the growing reliance on indigenously developed systems. From Akashteer and Akash missiles to modernised L-70 guns and homegrown radar systems, India's air defense ecosystem is increasingly self-reliant. This boosts not only operational flexibility, but also economic and industrial strength. The ability to custom-build systems for specific missions, without relying on external supply chains, has become a strategic advantage, especially in a post-COVID and post-Ukraine world marked by global disruptions. What happened in Russia is a warning – expensive technology alone cannot win wars. Without intelligent integration, adaptive systems and multi-layered coordination, even the best platforms can be rendered obsolete. India's layered air defense, rooted in homegrown tech, joint-force coordination and rapid-response automation, is emerging as a global model for modern warfare. As the world is faced with new-age aerial threats, India's 'high-tech + low-level' fusion may just be the blueprint others follow.
India.com
01-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
How India broke the web of Turkey's most-famous Bayraktar drones, Erdogan is now worried because...
Bayraktar TB2 (File) How India destroyed Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones: Due to the massive success of Akash air defence system and Akashteer intelligent warfare, a sense of panic has spread across the US. However, there is another country which actively helped India's enemy during the recent India-Pakistan tensions and as a result, it's defence industry has taken a massive hit. Reports have it that Pakistan used Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drone during its recent conflict with India. In order to counter the drone threat, the Indian Armed Forces shot down all the drones received from Turkey by Pakistan using the indigenous 'Akashteer' air defense system. About Akashteer air defense system Akashteer is a vehicle-based air defence system designed to automate detection, tracking and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones and missiles. It integrates various radar systems, sensors and communication technologies into a single operational framework. With its intelligent warfare capabilities, Akashteer showcased India's dominance in real-time, automated air defence warfare. As per a report by PIB, Akashteer is part of the broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) framework, working in coordination with other systems. How India destroyed Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones Media reports have said that the Akashteer air defense system was extensively used to counter Turkish drone threat during the recent India-Pakistan tensions. A senior army official was quoted as saying by a Navbharat Times report that 'not even a single drone was able to achieve its target'. Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan set to strengthen anti-India nexus The growing nexus between Islamabad-Ankara-Baku is expected to deepen and broaden further during the visit of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Azerbaijan after concluding his ongoing visit to Iran. According to reports, a trilateral summit of Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan is expected to be held in Lachin, a strategic city that connects Azerbaijan to Armenia, in the next 48 hours to take 'important decisions on joint strategies' in several fields, including defence. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bayraktar busted: Pakistan's drone fiasco-How Indian radars exposed Turkish tech
Turkey's much-hyped Bayraktar TB2 drones, hailed as revolutionary weapons in conflicts from Ukraine to Libya, have suffered a devastating reputational blow after Pakistan's Turkish-origin drone fleet failed spectacularly during Operation Sindoor. Indian forces, using indigenous Akashteer air defense systems, shot down every single Turkish-origin drone in the May conflict, leaving the Turkish defense industry scrambling to defend its once-prized exports. Why it matters Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long touted Turkish-made drones as a symbol of his 'Islamist vision' and a centerpiece of Turkey's defense ambitions. The drones were not only instruments of hard power but also a diplomatic tool for Turkish influence in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. But as India's Akashteer system intercepted Pakistani drones with 100% accuracy, Turkey's arms export ambitions took a direct hit. Also read: Turkish drones to Chinese missiles, India beat them all This collapse of performance-described by a senior Indian officer as 'not a single drone achieving its objective'-has raised fresh doubts about Turkish drones' battlefield credibility and the broader promise of Turkey's defense industry. The big picture Pakistan's military imported hundreds of Turkish drones, hoping to overwhelm Indian air defenses and showcase Turkish technology as a regional power equalizer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Todos os idosos deveriam ter um desse no banheiro! Veja só! Evite quedas e escorregões Saiba Mais Undo Instead, the attack ended in humiliating defeat. Indian Air Defence officers confirmed that 300-400 Turkish drones, including Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones and Turkish-origin micro-drones like Songatri and eYatri, were neutralized in mid-air before they could even scratch Indian defenses. A Pakistani source told Reuters that Turkish drones were meant to provide cover for manned aircraft and artillery strikes, but 'the drones failed to reach targets' as India's integrated air defenses, from legacy L70 guns to cutting-edge Akashteer radars, kicked in. What they are saying Michael Rubin, an analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, minced no words: 'Erdogan may offer a hard sale to promote his Islamist vision or simply to enrich his family, but the product he is selling is now subpar. Just as socialism stymies development as bureaucrats fail to adjust for competition, so too does nepotism ruin industries. Baykar, knowing it had full state support, simply stopped innovating effectively. ' Pakistani officials have tried to downplay the losses, insisting they are re-evaluating drone deployment strategies. But the magnitude of the failure is hard to hide: Indian Air Defence sources say they recovered hundreds of drone parts along the border-clear evidence of Turkey's failure to deliver. Zoom in The real star of this clash? India's homegrown Akashteer system. Developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Akashteer integrates seamlessly with Indian Army and Air Force radars. It automates threat detection, tracks targets, and assigns weapons in real time-a feature that proved decisive in the face of Pakistan's drone swarm. 'It didn't roar or flash - it listened, calculated and struck with precision,' an official told PTI. 'Every threat was intercepted, every target neutralised.' This level of precision is no fluke. Indian officers compared Akashteer's performance to Israel's Iron Dome, noting that while Iron Dome specializes in missile defense, Akashteer has shown exceptional versatility against low-flying drones and loitering munitions. Between the lines For Turkey, the reputational hit goes beyond this one conflict. The Bayraktar TB2 had become the face of Turkish defense sales, with celebrated success stories in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and early phases of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But cracks were already showing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted last year that 'those or other drones can help, but do not affect the result,' as Russia's electronic warfare systems jammed Bayraktar drones. The India-Pakistan clash has underscored these vulnerabilities, exposing Turkish drones as poorly adapted to modern electronic and radar-dense battlefields. Historical echoes This is not the first time that battlefield performance has shattered weapons myths. In 1982, Israeli Air Force F-15s and F-16s downed over 80 Soviet-built Syrian MiGs without losing a single plane-an outcome that punctured the myth of Soviet invincibility in Arab states. Analysts say Turkey is facing a similar reckoning now. 'Any African despot or Central Asian country still purchasing Turkish hardware should recognize they risk wasting hundreds of millions of dollars,' Rubin warned. What's at stake for Turkey For President Erdogan and his son-in-law's company Baykar, the India-Pakistan conflict is more than just a marketing setback. It's a blow to Turkey's entire narrative of self-sufficiency and regional influence. Analysts are already warning that countries in Africa and Central Asia that relied on Turkish drones may now look elsewhere. China and the US remain key players in the global drone market, and Turkey's stumble has opened the door for rivals to push their systems as more reliable and battle-proven. What's next As Pakistan rebuilds its airfields and grapples with the aftermath of this clash, Turkey's defense industry is facing questions that go well beyond the battlefield. In Africa, Somali and Libyan leaders had turned to Turkish drones to prop up their regimes. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed used Bayraktar drones to devastating effect against Tigray forces. But after this fiasco, prospective buyers may pause-fearing that the Turkish drones they once saw as cost-effective alternatives to Western systems may be little more than paper tigers. Meanwhile, India's success with Akashteer has emboldened its push for indigenous defense technology. Smit Shah of the Drone Federation India said that India plans to triple its drone investments in the next two years-leveraging the lessons of Operation Sindoor to build a robust domestic drone and counter-drone ecosystem.
