India’s indigenously developed ‘Akashteer’ air defence system, built by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), has emerged as a key battlefield asset during the recent conflict with Pakistan, earning praise for making it “hell for Pakistan’s air adventures.”
The AI-powered, fully automated air defence system, deployed amid escalating tensions, proved highly effective in intercepting drones, missiles, micro-UAVs, and loitering munitions as they entered Indian airspace. BEL, a Navratna Defence PSU, proudly announced the system’s performance surpassed expectations.
“BEL is proud to announce that our in-house designed & manufactured Air Defence System, Akashteer, has proved its mettle in the war field,” the company stated on X. “Ground-based Defence Systems integrated with Akashteer made it hell for Pakistan’s air adventures.”
Developed under a ₹1,982 crore contract signed in March 2023, Akashteer integrates radar systems, surveillance assets, and command units into a unified network. It offers real-time situational awareness and seamless communication across Army Air Defence units, enabling rapid and accurate response decisions even at the lowest operational levels.
During India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7 — a retaliatory strike on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — Akashteer played a pivotal role in neutralising aerial threats, ensuring zero casualties and minimal material damage.
BEL noted that Akashteer’s integration on the battlefield prevented friendly-fire incidents and empowered frontline units with autonomous threat engagement capabilities.
The success of Akashteer not only marks a major milestone in India’s defence innovation but also underscores the strategic depth of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative. Alongside Akashteer, the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system also contributed significantly to India’s air defence during the conflict.