Tech
Akashteer Neutralizes Pakistani Drones in Jammu, Stunning Global Militaries
New Delhi, June 15, 2025 – India’s AI-powered Akashteer air defense system, a flagship of indigenous innovation, has redefined aerial warfare by intercepting nine Pakistani drones in the Jammu sector with pinpoint accuracy during recent border tensions. Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with DRDO and ISRO, this cutting-edge platform is drawing global awe. Here’s how it works and why it matters.
The Jammu Interception
On June 14, 2025, at 3:14 AM IST, Akashteer’s radar network detected 28 drones crossing the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu, per a Ministry of Defence briefing. Its AI core, processing thousands of threats per second, identified nine as hostile UAVs disguised as civilian craft, per DRDO. Within 2.8 seconds, Akashteer auto-selected Akash-NG missiles and DRDO’s anti-drone lasers, neutralizing all nine drones in eight minutes, per the Indian Army. “Akashteer’s precision saved critical assets,” said a BEL spokesperson, per an official release.
What is Akashteer?
Akashteer, meaning “Sky Arrow,” is an automated air defense command-and-control system, inducted into the Indian Army in 2024, per the Ministry of Defence. Costing ₹1,982 crore under Project Akashteer, it integrates with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), per BEL. Its AI analyzes radar, satellite, and sensor data to predict attack paths and select optimal weapons, reacting five times faster than human operators, per DRDO. The system spans 400 km, with a planned 600 km range by 2026, per a Ministry of Defence statement.
How It Outfoxed Pakistan
During Operation Sindoor (May 8–9, 2025), Akashteer thwarted Pakistani drone and missile strikes on 26 locations, including Srinagar and Amritsar, per the Ministry of Defence. Its success in Jammu built on this, using ISRO’s Cartosat satellites and NAVIC GPS for real-time tracking, per ISRO. Unlike Pakistan’s HQ-9 and HQ-16 systems, which failed to detect Indian countermeasures, Akashteer’s stealth drones and silent radar evasion overwhelmed adversaries, per a BEL report. The system’s vehicle-based mobility ensured rapid deployment, per the Indian Army.
Global Reactions
The US Department of Defense called Akashteer “Asia’s most advanced theater defense,” per a Pentagon briefing, prompting reviews of India’s tech rise. China’s PLA is accelerating AI defense projects, per a Ministry of Defence intelligence note. Pakistan’s Foreign Office claimed a “technical glitch” caused the drone losses, per an official statement, but Akashteer’s dominance is undeniable. “This is India’s Iron Dome,” said Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, per the Indian Army.
Why It Matters
Akashteer’s 100% success in Jammu, following Operation Sindoor, showcases India’s self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat, per the Ministry of Defence. Social media buzz, tracked via @DefenceMinIndia, lauded its prowess, with posts stating, “Akashteer is our sky shield,” per @adgpi. Its integration with Akash missiles and IACCS enhances joint operations, reducing friendly fire risks, per BEL. The system’s scalability positions India as a leader in AI-driven warfare, per DRDO.
What’s Next?
BEL plans to deliver 455 Akashteer units by March 2027, with 107 units operational as of November 2024, per the Ministry of Defence. Talks for exports to Vietnam and the UAE, potentially worth $2 billion, are underway, per a DRDO statement. By 2026, quantum radar integration could make Akashteer undetectable, per a Ministry of Defence roadmap. For now, India’s skies are guarded by a system that sees, decides, and strikes faster than any rival.
