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India's domestically developed AkashTeer AI defence system has significantly altered global military perceptions following its reported deployment during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
The advanced system, a collaborative effort by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has reportedly demonstrated exceptional stealth, precision, and autonomous capabilities, prompting re-evaluation by nations including the United States, China, and Pakistan.
American analysts have reportedly acknowledged that AkashTeer's capabilities may rival or potentially exceed current U.S. stealth drone technologies, leading to urgent reviews of India's rapidly advancing technological prowess.
The AkashTeer is described not as a single drone or weapon, but as a comprehensive "system-of-systems." This intricate defence network integrates satellites, swarms of stealth drones, ground-based radars, mobile command centres, and artificial intelligence processors.
This interconnected ecosystem functions as a self-learning and auto-engaging platform, capable of making critical decisions in real-time, potentially without direct human intervention.
Key to its operation is continuous satellite surveillance provided by ISRO's Cartosat (cartography satellites) and RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) series. These indigenous satellites offer detailed terrain mapping and dynamic targeting capabilities, reducing dependence on foreign satellite intelligence and ensuring data control, a significant advantage over nations reliant on systems like the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) or European satellite services.
Furthermore, India’s own NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) satellite navigation system provides highly accurate positioning, reportedly to sub-meter levels. NAVIC is specifically optimised for the varied geographical conditions of South Asia, including mountains, deserts, and urban areas, where foreign GPS systems can sometimes experience limitations, thus giving AkashTeer a distinct advantage in executing precise actions.
The system also employs swarms of lightweight stealth drones. Each drone is capable of carrying payloads ranging from 5 to 10 kilograms, which can include jammers, reconnaissance equipment, or munitions. These drones are designed to operate autonomously and evade enemy radar through advanced stealth characteristics and undisclosed operational frequencies.
A core strength of AkashTeer lies in its AI-driven autonomy, which allows for instantaneous decision-making. The system can reportedly reassign missions, select targets, and reprogram drone flight paths within seconds, a speed that offers a considerable advantage over the more human-dependent command structures typically used by military forces such as NATO or China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
"It’s not a weapon—it’s an ecosystem," a senior DRDO scientist was quoted by The Hindu, emphasizing its integrated nature. "AkashTeer sees, decides, and strikes faster than anything the world has fielded."
During "Operation Sindoor," the AkashTeer system reportedly demonstrated its capabilities by effectively countering numerous Pakistani drones and missiles. It is also credited with delivering precise retaliatory strikes that allegedly highlighted weaknesses in Chinese-manufactured military technology employed by Pakistan.
Reports suggest that Pakistani radar and air command centres struggled to detect AkashTeer drones operating near sensitive locations, with their systems purportedly "freezing" due to the drones' advanced stealth and unfamiliar operational frequencies.
This reported failure has apparently led Islamabad to reconsider its defence infrastructure, which includes U.S.-supplied AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) and anti-drone radar systems.
China, a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan, was reportedly taken by surprise by AkashTeer's performance. Beijing's own advanced drone and satellite systems, including those produced by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the BeiDou navigation system, are now said to be undergoing urgent reassessment to counter India's integrated AI and combat satellite capabilities.
An uncharacteristic silence from normally vocal Chinese military spokespersons has been interpreted by some observers as an indication of strategic surprise.
Even Turkey, known for its Bayraktar drones, reportedly now views AkashTeer’s lighter, faster, and stealthier drone swarms as a new global benchmark. Turkish defence officials are believed to be accelerating their own AI upgrades in response, acknowledging India's new standard in autonomous warfare technology.
The United States, long regarded as a leader in stealth drone technology, is also said to be assessing the implications of AkashTeer. Analysts have reportedly conceded that India’s successful integration of AI, indigenous satellite networks, and stealth technology was not fully anticipated, triggering discussions within the U.S. about its own reliance on systems that may have slower, human-in-the-loop operational cycles.
A significant feature of AkashTeer is its "plug-and-strike" deployment capability. This allows the system to be operated from a compact, laptop-sized mobile command centre, potentially even from a moving vehicle like a jeep. This portability and operational flexibility make it one of the most adaptable defence systems currently known.
The system's reliance on NAVIC, rather than foreign GPS, provides superior operational reliability in South Asia's challenging terrains. This ensures pinpoint accuracy that systems guided by U.S. or Chinese GPS might struggle to consistently achieve in the region.
Its autonomous capabilities also eliminate the inherent time delays of traditional command systems, allowing it to react and manoeuvre more quickly than adversaries in dynamic combat situations.
AkashTeer is being presented as a major achievement for India’s "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative. It showcases a rare synergy between key national organisations: DRDO (India's premier agency for military research and development), ISRO (India's national space agency), and BEL (a state-owned aerospace and defence electronics company).
Unlike many defence systems globally that rely on components from various countries, AkashTeer is highlighted as being entirely indigenous, signalling India's emergence as a significant innovator in military technology. Former DRDO Chairman Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy described the system as a testament to India’s progress towards technological self-sufficiency, crediting the dedicated work of thousands of scientists.
ISRO's contribution to India's surveillance and defence capabilities is substantial. With at least 10 satellites, including Cartosat, RISAT, EMISAT (Electro-Magnetic Intelligence Satellite), and MicroSat, currently monitoring India’s borders, the nation's space-based situational awareness is continuously improving.
Furthermore, ISRO reportedly plans to expand its constellation to 52 ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) satellites by 2026 under the "Space-based Surveillance-3" scheme, aiming to further reduce any gaps in its space-based defence capabilities.
