Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: In a powerful demonstration of India’s growing defence capabilities, the Indian Army has revealed the performance of its indigenous Akashteer system and upgraded L-70 Air Defence Guns, both of which played a decisive role in neutralizing the largest aerial attack launched by Pakistan on May 9–10.
Speaking to ANI, an L-70 operator emphasized the weapon’s effectiveness:
“This gun system is very effective… We showed that we also have a system capable of destroying any target. It can track targets from a long distance and lock onto them. As soon as they enter the effective range, firing action is taken.”
The operator confirmed that the L-70 guns achieved 100% success in destroying enemy drones during the conflict. He expressed confidence that the system, now upgraded with radar integration and automated targeting capabilities, is ready to handle future aerial threats, including drones, aircraft, and missiles.
At the heart of the successful defence was Akashteer, India’s fully indigenous, automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System, designed and developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
“In the dark skies, a new kind of warrior awakened… It did not roar like a fighter jet or flash like a missile. It listened. It calculated. It struck,” read an official statement describing Akashteer’s performance. “It is the unseen wall that stopped a barrage of missiles and drones.”
Akashteer: A New Era of Intelligent Warfare
Unlike traditional defence systems that rely on manual tracking and ground-based radars, Akashteer represents a quantum leap in C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance).
Highlights of the Akashteer system include:
- Fully automated, real-time detection, tracking, and engagement of aerial threats
- Seamless integration of multiple radar types, including Tactical Control Radar REPORTER, 3D Tactical Control Radars, and Akash Weapon System radars
- Prevention of friendly fire through a unified, real-time air picture shared among operators and command centres
- Mobility through vehicle-based deployment, enabling responsiveness in dynamic battlefields
- High compatibility with all Indian armed forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—for interoperable defence operations
Akashteer enabled India to intercept every inbound projectile, while Pakistan’s imported HQ-9 and HQ-16 systems failed to detect Indian strikes during the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
“What stood between them and their intended targets was not just technology, but years of commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the Army’s statement added.
Strategic Impact
This development underscores a paradigm shift in India’s military doctrine, transitioning from passive defence to proactive airspace dominance. Akashteer’s C4ISR integration reflects India’s readiness to deploy smart, real-time defence solutions against emerging threats such as drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
India’s successful deployment of Akashteer and upgraded L-70 systems sends a strong message: homegrown defence solutions are now not just capable—but critical—in modern warfare.