Indian Army Inducts Indigenous ‘SAKSHAM’ Counter-UAS Grid After Operation Sindoor Success
Source: IANS
New Delhi, Oct 9 (TheTrendingPeople.com) — Nearly five months after Operation Sindoor showcased India’s formidable counter-drone capabilities—neutralising nearly 400 hostile drones launched by Pakistan to target defence installations and civilian areas—the Indian Army has initiated the induction of a cutting-edge indigenously developed Counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid, named ‘SAKSHAM’.
The development marks a strategic leap in India’s evolving airspace security doctrine, combining real-time detection, tracking, identification, and neutralisation of enemy drones within what the Army now defines as the Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS) — an expanded warfare domain that includes the Air Littoral, or airspace up to 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above ground level.
Post-Operation Sindoor: Redefining Airspace Warfare
According to senior defence officials, the necessity for a comprehensive counter-UAS grid system became clear during Operation Sindoor, when swarms of hostile drones were deployed by Pakistan across the border.
Although all the nearly 400 drones were neutralised by Indian security forces through coordinated countermeasures, the incident exposed the growing complexity of aerial threats in modern warfare.
A senior Army official told TheTrendingPeople.com:
“The Army’s operational concept has evolved from the earlier Tactical Battle Area (TBA) to the Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS), recognising that future conflicts will be fought not just on land but also in the air littoral directly above it.”
This paradigm shift ensures that airspace up to 3,000 metres above ground level remains under Indian control, enabling smooth operation for friendly aerial assets while detecting and neutralising hostile unmanned aerial systems.
‘SAKSHAM’: A Next-Generation Counter-Drone Command System
The newly unveiled SAKSHAM Counter-UAS Grid System—short for Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management—is conceived as a high-end modular Command and Control (C2) system. Developed in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, the system integrates AI-driven decision support, real-time data fusion, and autonomous response mechanisms for UAS threat neutralisation.
Defence officials describe SAKSHAM as a game-changer in battlefield digitisation, designed to ensure complete airspace dominance.
“SAKSHAM will serve as the backbone of the Army’s counter-drone network by integrating detection sensors, jammers, and kinetic interceptors on a common GIS-based platform,” an official said.
The system enables commanders to detect, track, and engage hostile UAS with both soft-kill and hard-kill solutions. Its AI-enabled threat analysis function enhances prediction and classification accuracy, drastically reducing decision time for field commanders.
From Russia-Ukraine to Israel: Drone Warfare Redefining Combat
In the past decade, drones have transformed global conflict scenarios — from Ukraine’s battlefronts to the Middle East conflicts, including Israel–Palestine and Israel–Iran hostilities. These operations have underscored the disruptive potential of unmanned systems in surveillance, precision strikes, and psychological warfare.
India’s own experience during Operation Sindoor reaffirmed the same. Pakistani forces attempted to exploit low-altitude drone corridors for surveillance and payload delivery, but Indian forces countered with layered radar, jamming systems, and kinetic intercepts.
This prompted the Indian Army’s shift toward an integrated air–land combat strategy, giving rise to the SAKSHAM project — a cornerstone of India’s next-generation battlefield management systems.
BEL Collaboration: Building an ‘Aatmanirbhar’ Defence Network
SAKSHAM embodies the Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative in defence technology. The system is fully indigenous, designed, and manufactured by BEL with inputs from the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals and Directorate of Air Defence.
According to sources, SAKSHAM’s architecture is modular, scalable, and upgradeable, allowing for integration with existing radar systems, electro-optical sensors, and countermeasure payloads. It will enable seamless coordination between air defence command posts, ensuring shared situational awareness across sectors.
A BEL spokesperson said the system is “future-ready” and designed to incorporate emerging technologies, including machine learning algorithms and swarm countermeasures, allowing rapid adaptation to evolving drone warfare tactics.
Fast-Track Procurement for Field Induction
Recognising the urgency of drone-based threats, the SAKSHAM system has been cleared for Fast Track Procurement (FTP), ensuring its rapid deployment to operational units within the next 12 months.
Under the FTP route, production timelines and field validation cycles are condensed, allowing early integration of the system into the Army’s command structure.
Officials confirmed that initial rollouts will be directed to frontline formations along the Western and Northern borders, where drone infiltration threats are highest.
“The system will significantly enhance our ability to manage and secure the airspace over forward locations,” said a senior official involved in the project. “Our aim is not just to counter drones but to create an interconnected CUAS grid capable of managing the entire Tactical Battlefield Space in real time.”
SAKSHAM’s Key Capabilities
- AI-Driven Threat Detection: Predictive analytics for faster drone classification and response.
- Integrated Network Grid: Centralised command linking sensors and shooters across sectors.
- Soft and Hard Kill Options: Jamming, spoofing, and kinetic interception in layered defence.
- GIS-Based Visualisation: Real-time mapping and tracking for field commanders.
- Scalable and Modular Design: Adaptable for varying terrains and operational requirements.
These features make SAKSHAM one of the most advanced counter-drone platforms globally, combining situational awareness, kinetic defence, and digital command architecture in a single system.
India’s Tactical Battlefield Space: The Next Frontier
The redefined Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS) concept marks a significant departure from traditional ground-centric doctrines. By asserting control of the Air Littoral, the Indian Army can now command both land and lower airspace, enhancing joint force coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy.
This ensures that friendly UAVs, helicopters, and loitering munitions can operate without interference, while hostile drones are swiftly detected and neutralised.
Experts believe that this multi-domain integration could become a template for future warfare, where AI and autonomous systems will dominate both intelligence gathering and combat execution.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The induction of SAKSHAM marks a defining moment in India’s journey towards technological sovereignty and tactical superiority. In an era where drone warfare is reshaping global conflict paradigms, India’s proactive adaptation demonstrates strategic foresight. With SAKSHAM, the Indian Army is not only defending its skies but also establishing the foundation for future-ready, AI-enabled combat operations — a bold step toward ensuring security across the Tactical Battlefield Space.