In a momentous step towards fortifying its operational readiness against evolving aerial threats, the Indian Army has initiated the procurement of the ‘Saksham’ Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) Grid System. This powerful, indigenously developed solution marks a pivotal advancement in safeguarding India’s skies.
The Saksham system is meticulously designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones and other unmanned aerial systems in real time. It aims to establish comprehensive airspace security across the newly defined Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS), which now encompasses the Air Littoral – the crucial airspace extending up to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) above ground level.
The urgent need for a robust CUAS framework became strikingly clear during Operation Sindoor, an exercise that exposed vulnerabilities in existing airspace control measures against adversarial drone activities. In response to these insights, the Army has strategically expanded its operational doctrine from the traditional Tactical Battle Area (TBA) to the more expansive TBS. This acknowledges the reality that future conflicts will unfold simultaneously across both ground and low-altitude air domains.
This paradigm shift is vital, empowering ground formations to maintain unequivocal control over the Air Littoral. This ensures the unrestricted movement of friendly aerial assets while simultaneously countering any potential hostile incursions effectively.
Developed in close collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, ‘Saksham’ – an acronym for Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management – is a modular, sophisticated Command and Control (C2) system. It operates on the secure Army Data Network (ADN), generating a real-time, integrated Recognised UAS Picture (RUASP) for commanders by fusing sensor data, counter-drone systems, and AI-driven analytics.
Key features of the Saksham system include real-time threat detection complemented by AI-enabled predictive analysis, seamless integration of CUAS sensors and weapons for synchronized responses, automated decision support, and immersive 3D battlefield visualization. Furthermore, it offers seamless interoperability with other critical operational systems and incorporates inputs from the Akashteer System to comprehensively map all friendly, neutral, and hostile airspace users.
Embodying the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) in defence technology, Saksham is a fully indigenous product. Its procurement has been fast-tracked, ensuring its deployment to all field formations within a year.
Once fully operational, Saksham will serve as the indispensable backbone of the Army’s CUAS grid. It will dramatically enhance decision-making speed, enable swift engagement with threats, and secure unwavering control over the Air Littoral. This initiative represents a decisive leap towards a digitally enabled, networked battlefield, perfectly aligned with the Indian Army’s ‘Decade of Transformation’ (2023–2032).