Daily News Analysis ‘India’s air defence shield’ : 14 May

IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS):

• Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Integrates data from:
  • Ground-based radars
  • Airborne sensors
  • Civilian radars
  • Communication nodes
  • IAF command and control centres
• Provides real-time situational awareness and a consolidated airspace picture.
• Enables centralised control and decentralised execution, improving threat response times and decision-making.
• Ensures overlapping radar and radio data coverage, enhancing airspace management and reducing redundancy.

Indian Army’s Akashteer System:

• Akashteer is a similar air defence control and reporting system for the Indian Army.
• Developed by BEL, with a ₹1,982 crore contract signed in March 2023.
• Monitors low-level airspace over battle areas and controls ground-based air defence systems.
• Currently operates at a smaller scale and is being integrated with IACCS for better coordination.

Multi-Layered Air Defence Umbrella:

• India’s air defence is structured in multiple layers:
  • Counter-drone systems and MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defence Systems)
  • Point air defence and short-range surface-to-air missiles
  • Medium-range surface-to-air missiles
  • Long-range surface-to-air missiles
• Uses surveillance radars (both ground-based and airborne like AWACS and AEW&C) connected to IACCS for:
  • Detection
  • Identification
  • Interception
  • Destruction of hostile aerial threats

• During the Operation Sindoor media briefing, military officers showcased a picture of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) node of the Indian Air Force (IAF).