For years, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has been the flagship of India’s burgeoning defence export ambitions. Now, an indigenous military system named Akashteer appears poised to become the nation's next significant defence success story, with fresh interest from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in acquiring both BrahMos and Akashteer.
This reported interest from the UAE underscores a crucial evolution in India’s defence exports, moving beyond offensive strike capabilities to encompass advanced battlefield management and sophisticated air-defence technologies.
UAE Eyes Akashteer and BrahMos
According to reports, India and the UAE are currently engaged in discussions regarding the potential sale of both the BrahMos missile system and the Akashteer system. While BrahMos has already garnered global recognition and secured export orders, Akashteer represents a distinct category of military capability.
What is Akashteer?
Developed jointly by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Akashteer is a fully indigenous, automated air-defence command and control system. Its primary function is to integrate various components—radars, sensors, communication networks, and weapon platforms—into a unified operational picture. This integration allows for real-time detection, tracking, and coordinated responses against aerial threats, a capability that has attracted attention from countries seeking robust protection against modern missile, drone, and air attacks.
Why Akashteer is an Attractive Export
The UAE’s reported interest comes at a time when Gulf nations are actively reassessing and enhancing their air-defence requirements due to heightened regional security concerns. Defence analysts view Akashteer as a particularly attractive export offering because it delivers networked warfare capabilities, which are increasingly vital for modern militaries, rather than merely providing standalone weapon systems.
If BrahMos symbolizes India’s offensive military prowess, Akashteer could emerge as the flagship export of its defensive technology ecosystem. With India’s defence exports reaching unprecedented levels and indigenous systems gaining international visibility, Akashteer is set to play a pivotal role in New Delhi’s ambition to become a major global arms supplier.