BrahMos Primary Offensive Weapon, Akashteer Key to Defence in Operation Sindoor: DRDO Chief
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Samir Kamat on Saturday highlighted the crucial role of BrahMos missiles and the Akashteer air defence system in Operation Sindoor — India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking at the 14th convocation of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) in Pune, Kamat described the operation as a testament to India’s self-reliance, strategic foresight, and indigenous technological capabilities.
“Operation Sindoor was more than a mission. It was a declaration of India’s ability to protect its borders through homegrown technology,” Kamat said.
According to him, the systems deployed during the operation included Akash and medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM), the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the D4 anti-drone system, the AWNC airborne early warning and control system, and the Akashteer platform — all developed within India’s defence R&D ecosystem.
Kamat explained that BrahMos, launched from the Sukhoi Mk 1 platform, served as the primary offensive weapon, while Akashteer was the backbone of defensive operations, integrating all radar and sensor data to detect, track, and neutralise incoming threats.
“All sensors were networked through Akashteer, enabling the identification of threats and the selection of the right weapon to neutralise them. Advanced airborne early warning systems provided surveillance, ensuring no hostile projectile reached its target,” he noted.
BrahMos and Akashteer: The Roles They Played
Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos missile can be launched from land, air, or sea, and is known for its supersonic speed and pinpoint accuracy. During Operation Sindoor, it was used in precision strikes on key Pakistani military assets, including airbases and cantonments, with minimal collateral damage.
The Akashteer system, dubbed India’s ‘Make in India Iron Dome’, integrated ground-based radars and airborne surveillance to create a live threat picture, allowing Indian forces to intercept every missile launched from across the border during the conflict.
Operation Sindoor Background
On April 22, Lashkar-linked terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam, killing 26 people, including foreigners, and injuring several others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, claimed responsibility.
India retaliated on May 7 with pre-dawn airstrikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, eliminating at least 100 militants. The strikes triggered four days of cross-border exchanges involving fighter jets, missiles, and artillery.
