Latest news with #Akashteer
India.com
18 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Why Russia's S-400 Failed To Counter Ukrainian Drones; What India Got Right With Its Layered Air Defense
New Delhi: On June 1, 2025, the world witnessed an eye-opening breach of Russia's military defenses. Launched from inside hidden containers, Ukrainian drones penetrated more than 4,000 kilometers deep into Russian territory and hit multiple airbases in an operation code named 'Spider Web'. At least 40 Russian aircraft were destroyed. It assault left global military analysts stunned. But more shocking than the attack was the failure of Russia's vaunted S-400 and S-500 air defense systems. These high-end platforms, touted as some of the best in the world, could not stop a fleet of low-flying and autonomous drones. Why? The S-400's Blind Spot Russia's failure was not purely a technological one, it was strategic. The S-400 is built to intercept high-altitude threats such as enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. But it falters against low-flying and slow-moving drones that often fly below radar coverage. Add to that the lack of low-level air defense, a unified command system and real-time threat intelligence and even the most advanced system becomes vulnerable. In essence, the S-400 was looking too far, while the real danger was up close. Having observed global battlefield trends and drawn key lessons from conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, India has adopted a more adaptive strategy. Instead of relying solely on high-tech imports like the S-400, India has built a layered and integrated air defense model. This strategy was tested and validated during the recent Operation Sindoor, where India not only thwarted a multi-pronged drone and missile attack from Pakistan but also launched a precise counterstrike that neutralised enemy radars, HQ-9 systems and terrorist camps. The Game-Changer At the centre of India's new defense posture lies Akashteer, a real-time and automated air defense control system developed indigenously. It is more than a radar. It is a command nerve center that connects the Air Force, the Army and the Navy on a single grid. Akashteer tracks, prioritises and assigns aerial threats to the most suitable interceptor, be it a missile, drone or gun, within seconds. Its key advantages include 360-degree coverage against drones, aircraft and cruise missiles, faster decision-making and automated threat response, seamless coordination among all armed services and reduced risk of friendly fire, Old Meets New One of the unsung heroes of Operation Sindoor was the upgraded L-70 anti-aircraft gun. Originally introduced decades ago, it has now been modernised with electronic fire control systems and target-tracking radars. These guns are now capable of shooting down drones and helicopters flying as low as 3,000 metres. Complementing this is the Akash missile system, designed to take out threats up to 25 km away. When deployed together in a 'battle grid', they cover both low-level intrusions and high-flying aerial threats – something the S-400 cannot do alone. Why This Mix-Match Formula Matters The future of warfare is asymmetric. From drone swarms launched from shipping containers to precision attacks from behind enemy lines, conventional systems like the S-400 are no longer enough. India's terrain and adversaries, ranging from China in the northeast to Pakistan in the west, require a multi-threat, all-weather and all-altitude defense approach. A single-tier system simply cannot cover such a wide spectrum. What also sets India apart is the growing reliance on indigenously developed systems. From Akashteer and Akash missiles to modernised L-70 guns and homegrown radar systems, India's air defense ecosystem is increasingly self-reliant. This boosts not only operational flexibility, but also economic and industrial strength. The ability to custom-build systems for specific missions, without relying on external supply chains, has become a strategic advantage, especially in a post-COVID and post-Ukraine world marked by global disruptions. What happened in Russia is a warning – expensive technology alone cannot win wars. Without intelligent integration, adaptive systems and multi-layered coordination, even the best platforms can be rendered obsolete. India's layered air defense, rooted in homegrown tech, joint-force coordination and rapid-response automation, is emerging as a global model for modern warfare. As the world is faced with new-age aerial threats, India's 'high-tech + low-level' fusion may just be the blueprint others follow.
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
How India broke the web of Turkey's most-famous Bayraktar drones, Erdogan is now worried because...
Bayraktar TB2 (File) How India destroyed Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones: Due to the massive success of Akash air defence system and Akashteer intelligent warfare, a sense of panic has spread across the US. However, there is another country which actively helped India's enemy during the recent India-Pakistan tensions and as a result, it's defence industry has taken a massive hit. Reports have it that Pakistan used Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drone during its recent conflict with India. In order to counter the drone threat, the Indian Armed Forces shot down all the drones received from Turkey by Pakistan using the indigenous 'Akashteer' air defense system. About Akashteer air defense system Akashteer is a vehicle-based air defence system designed to automate detection, tracking and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones and missiles. It integrates various radar systems, sensors and communication technologies into a single operational framework. With its intelligent warfare capabilities, Akashteer showcased India's dominance in real-time, automated air defence warfare. As per a report by PIB, Akashteer is part of the broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) framework, working in coordination with other systems. How India destroyed Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones Media reports have said that the Akashteer air defense system was extensively used to counter Turkish drone threat during the recent India-Pakistan tensions. A senior army official was quoted as saying by a Navbharat Times report that 'not even a single drone was able to achieve its target'. Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan set to strengthen anti-India nexus The growing nexus between Islamabad-Ankara-Baku is expected to deepen and broaden further during the visit of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Azerbaijan after concluding his ongoing visit to Iran. According to reports, a trilateral summit of Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan is expected to be held in Lachin, a strategic city that connects Azerbaijan to Armenia, in the next 48 hours to take 'important decisions on joint strategies' in several fields, including defence. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bayraktar busted: Pakistan's drone fiasco-How Indian radars exposed Turkish tech
Turkey's much-hyped Bayraktar TB2 drones, hailed as revolutionary weapons in conflicts from Ukraine to Libya, have suffered a devastating reputational blow after Pakistan's Turkish-origin drone fleet failed spectacularly during Operation Sindoor. Indian forces, using indigenous Akashteer air defense systems, shot down every single Turkish-origin drone in the May conflict, leaving the Turkish defense industry scrambling to defend its once-prized exports. Why it matters Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long touted Turkish-made drones as a symbol of his 'Islamist vision' and a centerpiece of Turkey's defense ambitions. The drones were not only instruments of hard power but also a diplomatic tool for Turkish influence in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. But as India's Akashteer system intercepted Pakistani drones with 100% accuracy, Turkey's arms export ambitions took a direct hit. Also read: Turkish drones to Chinese missiles, India beat them all This collapse of performance-described by a senior Indian officer as 'not a single drone achieving its objective'-has raised fresh doubts about Turkish drones' battlefield credibility and the broader promise of Turkey's defense industry. The big picture Pakistan's military imported hundreds of Turkish drones, hoping to overwhelm Indian air defenses and showcase Turkish technology as a regional power equalizer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Todos os idosos deveriam ter um desse no banheiro! Veja só! Evite quedas e escorregões Saiba Mais Undo Instead, the attack ended in humiliating defeat. Indian Air Defence officers confirmed that 300-400 Turkish drones, including Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones and Turkish-origin micro-drones like Songatri and eYatri, were neutralized in mid-air before they could even scratch Indian defenses. A Pakistani source told Reuters that Turkish drones were meant to provide cover for manned aircraft and artillery strikes, but 'the drones failed to reach targets' as India's integrated air defenses, from legacy L70 guns to cutting-edge Akashteer radars, kicked in. What they are saying Michael Rubin, an analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, minced no words: 'Erdogan may offer a hard sale to promote his Islamist vision or simply to enrich his family, but the product he is selling is now subpar. Just as socialism stymies development as bureaucrats fail to adjust for competition, so too does nepotism ruin industries. Baykar, knowing it had full state support, simply stopped innovating effectively. ' Pakistani officials have tried to downplay the losses, insisting they are re-evaluating drone deployment strategies. But the magnitude of the failure is hard to hide: Indian Air Defence sources say they recovered hundreds of drone parts along the border-clear evidence of Turkey's failure to deliver. Zoom in The real star of this clash? India's homegrown Akashteer system. Developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Akashteer integrates seamlessly with Indian Army and Air Force radars. It automates threat detection, tracks targets, and assigns weapons in real time-a feature that proved decisive in the face of Pakistan's drone swarm. 'It didn't roar or flash - it listened, calculated and struck with precision,' an official told PTI. 'Every threat was intercepted, every target neutralised.' This level of precision is no fluke. Indian officers compared Akashteer's performance to Israel's Iron Dome, noting that while Iron Dome specializes in missile defense, Akashteer has shown exceptional versatility against low-flying drones and loitering munitions. Between the lines For Turkey, the reputational hit goes beyond this one conflict. The Bayraktar TB2 had become the face of Turkish defense sales, with celebrated success stories in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and early phases of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But cracks were already showing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted last year that 'those or other drones can help, but do not affect the result,' as Russia's electronic warfare systems jammed Bayraktar drones. The India-Pakistan clash has underscored these vulnerabilities, exposing Turkish drones as poorly adapted to modern electronic and radar-dense battlefields. Historical echoes This is not the first time that battlefield performance has shattered weapons myths. In 1982, Israeli Air Force F-15s and F-16s downed over 80 Soviet-built Syrian MiGs without losing a single plane-an outcome that punctured the myth of Soviet invincibility in Arab states. Analysts say Turkey is facing a similar reckoning now. 'Any African despot or Central Asian country still purchasing Turkish hardware should recognize they risk wasting hundreds of millions of dollars,' Rubin warned. What's at stake for Turkey For President Erdogan and his son-in-law's company Baykar, the India-Pakistan conflict is more than just a marketing setback. It's a blow to Turkey's entire narrative of self-sufficiency and regional influence. Analysts are already warning that countries in Africa and Central Asia that relied on Turkish drones may now look elsewhere. China and the US remain key players in the global drone market, and Turkey's stumble has opened the door for rivals to push their systems as more reliable and battle-proven. What's next As Pakistan rebuilds its airfields and grapples with the aftermath of this clash, Turkey's defense industry is facing questions that go well beyond the battlefield. In Africa, Somali and Libyan leaders had turned to Turkish drones to prop up their regimes. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed used Bayraktar drones to devastating effect against Tigray forces. But after this fiasco, prospective buyers may pause-fearing that the Turkish drones they once saw as cost-effective alternatives to Western systems may be little more than paper tigers. Meanwhile, India's success with Akashteer has emboldened its push for indigenous defense technology. Smit Shah of the Drone Federation India said that India plans to triple its drone investments in the next two years-leveraging the lessons of Operation Sindoor to build a robust domestic drone and counter-drone ecosystem.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Equipment 'war-tested' in Op Sindoor, expect exports to rise: DRDO chief
DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat on Thursday expressed optimism that defence exports will increase following Operation Sindoor, as indigenous military equipment has now been 'war-tested'. The indigenously developed Akash missile system and Akashteer air defence system were among the key military assets deployed by India during the recent four-day military standoff with Pakistan. Kamat also acknowledged the contributions of Indian industry and academia, and said, 'We have to achieve complete 'atmanirbharta' in future.' 'After Operation Sindoor, I am very hopeful that defence exports will increase because these equipment have got war-tested. So, countries will show interest in acquiring them,' Kamat said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Summit, he also highlighted the recent approval by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of the 'execution model' for the design and production of India's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The DRDO chairman said that in the approved execution model for AMCA, 'HAL can bid, private sector can bid, they can also bid as a joint venture.' 'So, this will open up participation of the private sector for fighter aircraft development,' he added. Procurement delays Earlier in the day, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh voiced concerns regarding persistent delays in India's defence procurement efforts, emphasising a widespread inability to adhere to project deadlines. Speaking at the same summit, Air Chief Marshal Singh criticised the tendency to enter into contracts that have unrealistic timelines. 'Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Timelines are a big issue. Once a timeline is given, not a single project I can think of has been completed on time. Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved?' he remarked.
India.com
26-05-2025
- India.com
Operation Sindoor: Key Lessons India Must Learn To Tackle Modern Warfare Threats
New Delhi: The successful Operation Sindoor serves important lessons – which India can learn – especially with regard to the evolving nature of warfare and defense systems. One of the important lessons the military offensive gave is the changing nature battlefield. It exposed that traditional defense systems are vulnerable to drone attacks. Increasing reliance on drones for intelligence gathering, surveillance and precision strikes shows the dynamics of modern warfare seems to have changed in recent years. This trend became apparent during the operation, where Pakistan tried to heavily use drones to bypass India's advanced defense systems. Most notably during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, the world witnessed the increasing role of drones in modern warfare. Operation Sindoor too mirrored the same trend, as drones posed a unique challenge – especially when deployed at low altitudes or in swarms. Drones proved to be effective and difficult-to-counter weapon despite India's formidable defense systems like Akashteer and S-400 air defense systems. It highlights gaps in existing technologies. Limitations of S-400 System Considered one of the world's most advanced air defense systems, India's S-400 successfully neutralised numerous high-altitude threats – including Pakistan's F-16 and J-17 fighter jets. The S-400 is, however, not designed to neutralize low-altitude and smaller aerial threats like drones. This gap became stark as Pakistan launched hundreds of drone attacks during the recent conflict. While India's brave soldiers managed to bring down several drones using air defense guns, the challenge remains – traditional defense systems are not equipped to deal with drones effectively. This vulnerability became clear after a 2021 incident when a Pakistani drone attacked Jammu Air Force Station by dropping an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the airport. Though the attack resulted into no significant damage, it served as a stark reminder of the emerging threats posed by drone technology. Need for a Counter-RAM System In view of the growing threat posed by low-flying missiles and drones, experts say that India must increasingly develop Mortar (C-RAM), artillery and counter-rocket systems in order to protect its critical military infrastructure. Much like Israel's Iron Dome, a C-RAM system is specifically designed to counter threats – which come at high speed and from low altitudes. The C-RAM systems use rapid-fire weapons to neutralise incoming projectiles – including drones, in real time, before they can inflict damage. Several countries across world, including Israel and the United States, have effectively deployed such systems. For instance, the Iron Dome has been instrumental in finding and destroying rockets fired by Hamas. It provided an example of how C-RAM systems can effectively shield civilian and military targets from modern threats. Adaptation of Future Conflicts Operation Sindoor has demonstrated that though India's defense capabilities are formidable, modern warfare requires constant adaptation to new technologies and emerging threats. The use of drones by Pakistan showed that high-impact and low-cost weapons can bypass traditional defense systems. It was once considered invulnerable. India – with an aim to stay ahead of evolving threats – must enhance its ability to respond to aerial threats at all altitudes and develop countermeasures such as C-RAM systems. The operation's experience highlights a crucial point: in an era of rapidly changing warfare, defense strategies must evolve with technological advancements. The lessons learned from this operation are invaluable as India prepares for future challenges on its borders. The ability to anticipate and counter emerging threats like drones will define the success of future military operations.
