Why in the news?

  • Indian Army inducted Saksham Counter-UAS Grid system to secure tactical battlefield space, ensuring comprehensive airspace security.

‘Saksham’ Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Grid System

  • What is it?:
    • Saksham stands for “Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management”.
    • It is an indigenous Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) grid being procured by the Indian Army.
    • It is essentially a command & control network / grid of sensors, radars, data fusion, and “soft” and “hard” kill mechanisms, aimed at detecting, tracking, identifying, and neutralising hostile drones / UAVs in real time.
  • Need:
    • The increasing use of drones / UAVs has created new vulnerabilities in battlefield airspace, especially in the zone just above ground forces, often called air littoral or tactical battlefield space.
    • During Operation Sindoor (India’s cross-border strike in April 2025), drone incursions across the border revealed gaps in detection, response coordination, and real-time airspace control.
    • The Army now envisions expanding its concept from Tactical Battle Area (TBA) to Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS), i.e. controlling the airspace up to a certain altitude (approx. 3,000 metres / 10,000 ft) above ground. Saksham is intended to operate in that domain.
  • Key Features:
    • Production: The system is being produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad.
    • Domain: Covers airspace up to ~ 3,000 m (10,000 ft) above ground (Tactical Battlefield Space).
    • It will integrate data from multiple sensors (radars, electro-optical, RF, etc.), hostile and friendly UAV inputs, to present a Recognised UAS Picture.
    • Command Module: A GIS-based platform for real-time visualisation, decision support, and control of “kill assets” (soft kill, hard kill).
    • Modes of Kill:
      • Soft kill = electronic means (jamming, spoofing, RF interference)
      • Hard kill = kinetic means (shooting down with missiles, projectiles)
    • Network: Will operate over the Army Data Network (ADN) to ensure secure, real-time data sharing among formations.
    • Interoperability: Will link/interoperate with existing air defence surveillance systems (e.g. Akashteer) to form a holistic airspace control.
  • Significance:
    • Airspace Control for Ground Forces: By managing the air littoral zone over troops, it enables friendly UAVs / aerial assets to operate safely, while denying that advantage to adversary drones.
    • Force Multiplier: Real-time situational awareness and quick, automated threat neutralisation can substantially improve responsiveness and reduce delays in decision making.
    • Indigenisation & Atmanirbharta: Fully indigenous development and production by BEL aligns with “Make in India / self-reliance in defence.”
    • Multi-Domain Warfare Preparedness: Reflects the shift towards 3D battle spaces, encompassing land, air, and “air above land,” to face modern asymmetric / drone threats.
    • Deterrence & Tactical Edge: A robust counter-drone grid can deter enemy UAV incursions, surveillance, or loitering munitions.