Description

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Context

Operation Sindoor is a recent Indian military air campaign launched in response to hostilities with Pakistan.

The operation showcased India's robust air defence architecture especially the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Indian Air Force.

What is IACCS?

Developer: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

Function: A sophisticated, automated command-and-control system for air defence.

Objective: Real-time integration of all air defence assets to detect, identify, intercept and neutralize aerial threats.

Features of IACCS

Feature	Description
Data Integration	Merges information from ground-based radars, airborne sensors, civilian radars and communication nodes.
Real-time Situational Awareness	Provides commanders with a dynamic, live battlefield picture.
Central Control, Decentralized Execution	Enables higher command to oversee operations while allowing field-level decisions.
Redundancy Reduction	Overlapping radar and radio coverage reduces duplication and blind spots.
Fast Reaction Time	Early threat identification aids rapid response and interception.
Scalability & Future Readiness	Capable of incorporating AI and other emerging technologies.

Multilayered Air Defence Architecture

Layer	Description
1st Layer	Counter-drone systems and MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defence Systems) for very close-range threats.
2nd Layer	Point air defence: Short-range air defence guns and systems.
3rd Layer	Medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM) for tactical and theatre-level defence.
4th Layer	Long-range SAMs and fighter aircraft for deep air defence.

Supporting Systems Integrated into IACCS

Radar & Surveillance Components

Ground-based Radars

AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System)

AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control)

These assets play a crucial role in Early detection, Target tracking, Threat classification and Coordination of interception.

Army’s Equivalent

Parameter	Description
System Name	Akashteer
Developer	Bharat Electronics Limited
Purpose	Enables Indian Army’s air defence units to monitor and control low-level airspace.
Contract Value	₹1,982 crore (signed in March 2023)
Integration	Being integrated with IACCS for jointness with IAF.

Sources:

INDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. India’s air defence is evolving into a network-centric, multilayered defence system capable of neutralizing diverse threats. IACCS stands as a cornerstone of this transformation. Discuss. 250 words