Just hours after India carried out precision airstrikes under Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan launched a retaliatory aerial assault on Indian territory. The coordinated strike targeted at least 15 locations across northern and western India, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Bathinda, and Chandigarh.
India swiftly activated its multi-layered air defence systems to neutralise the threat. Among the key defence mechanisms employed were the indigenously developed Akashteer system—hailed as India’s equivalent of Israel’s Iron Dome—and the Russian-built S-400 Triumf system, dubbed Sudarshan Chakra by the Indian Air Force.
According to defence officials, the attempted Pakistani attack involved a combination of drones and missiles launched towards key civilian and military infrastructure. The Indian Air Force and Army air defence units responded in real time, using the Akashteer-S-400 combo to intercept and destroy all incoming projectiles. No damage or casualties were reported, marking a significant validation of India’s air defence preparedness.
What Is Akashteer?
The Akashteer Air Defence Control and Reporting System (ADCRS) is a next-generation platform developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the Indian Army. It digitises air defence command and control functions to ensure seamless detection, tracking, and interception of aerial threats.
The system is being touted as India’s answer to Israel’s Iron Dome due to its automated, decentralised capabilities and rapid response time—features that were fully leveraged during the Pakistani strike.
Key Features Of Akashteer System
- Sensor Fusion for a Unified Air Picture: Akashteer integrates data from Indian Army and Air Force sensors—including 3D tactical radars, low-level lightweight radars, and Akash weapon systems—to create a real-time, multi-dimensional airspace view. This live data is accessible down to the lowest operational units.
- Fully Automated Engagement: One of Akashteer’s most critical features is its elimination of manual data entry. Automated tracking and response mechanisms ensure that threats are dealt with in real time, crucial when defending against high-speed aerial attacks.
- Decentralised Authority: By allowing frontline units to independently make engagement decisions, Akashteer significantly reduces response time. This feature is vital in sensitive zones along India’s northern and eastern borders, where immediate retaliation is often necessary.
- Redundancy and Scalability: Built-in communication redundancy ensures uninterrupted operation even in hostile electronic environments. The system is also future-ready, with both software and hardware scalability integrated into its design.
- Flexible Deployment Models: Akashteer can be deployed via mobile platforms for offensive strike formations or through fixed installations for pivot formations. This flexibility allows India to tailor its air defence posture based on terrain and threat levels.
According to official data, out of the total 455 Akashteer units planned, 107 were delivered by November 2024. An additional 105 were on track for delivery by March 2025, with the remainder expected by March 2027. The induction is part of a broader plan to equip all key Indian Army formations with the latest in air defence technology.
Operation Sindoor
India’s response to the Pakistani attack has garnered global attention. Reports indicate that the United States has urged Pakistan to “de-escalate immediately” in light of the failed retaliation. Washington is reportedly monitoring the situation closely while reiterating its support for India’s right to self-defence.
The aerial retaliation follows India’s successful execution of Operation Sindoor—a retaliatory strike targeting terror camps operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen across Pakistan and PoK. The Indian Defence Ministry described the mission as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” carried out entirely from Indian territory.
The dual use of Akashteer and S-400 systems in thwarting Pakistan’s attempted strike underlines India’s advanced defensive capabilities and growing technological self-reliance in national security.
(With inputs from MSN)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.