New Delhi | May 8, 2025
As tensions soar along the India–Pakistan border, India’s homegrown air defence shield — Akashteer — has proven its might, intercepting a swarm of Pakistani rockets and drones targeting military and civilian zones in Punjab and Jammu.
In what’s being compared to Israel’s Iron Dome, Akashteer successfully neutralized over 40 incoming threats in just a few hours. This marks its first full-scale deployment under live combat conditions, and it has delivered beyond expectations.
“It’s a proud moment for DRDO and Bharat Electronics. Akashteer didn’t just work — it dominated,” said a senior defence scientist involved with the system’s development.
What is Akashteer?
Akashteer is a networked air defence command and control system, designed to give the Indian Army real-time threat visibility and rapid-fire capability against low-altitude threats like drones, rockets, and missiles. It syncs radar, missile units, and jamming systems to form a protective digital shield over military zones.
“Pakistan’s drone-and-rocket combo attack was effectively blinded and shot out of the sky. It was like swatting flies with lasers,” joked an Indian Army officer on the ground.
Why It Matters
This successful combat deployment is a big leap for India’s indigenous defence ecosystem, showing the world that India doesn’t just buy — it builds, adapts, and dominates. With Akashteer live, and S-400 batteries covering the skies, India’s airspace has never been safer.
