Indian Army inducts ‘Saksham’: An indigenous Unmanned Aerial System to appraise security architecture in the skies

The Indian Army has initiated the procurement of the counter-Unmanned Aerial System(C-UAS) ‘Saksham’, which is deemed as a revolutionary step to boost the defensive capabilities and security architecture of the country. ‘Saksham’ stands for Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management. This novel indigenous aerial technology aids to track, detect and neutralize the intruding enemy drones in real-time. Thus, the cutting-edge military drone technology is considered as a remarkable leap in the integrated air space command and control paradigm.

Saksham is co-developed by the Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL), Ghaziabad. Saksham is a benchmark innovation in the Indian Army’s Decade of Transformation(2023-2032) goal. In this decade, the Army seeks to upgrade and modernize its technologies aligning with the emerging threats. The roadmap and vision is to carve a solid security carve for the digitally driven, multidimensional and hybrid nature of wars. “The future battlefield is multidimensional – and SAKSHAM ensures India stays ahead of the threat curve,” said an officer involved in the programme. Accordingly, Saksham is procured through the Fast Track Procurement(FTP) route and will be fully inducted to the army within an year.

Saksham: A strength to the Tactical Battlefield Space(TBS)

Saksham C-UAS acts as a big boost to the emerging nature of the Tactical Battlefield Space(TBS). The concept of TBS is gaining prominence as a potential war domain, especially post the Operation Sindoor, as the conflict was predominantly dominated by drones and other cutting-edge aerial military mechanisms. This multidimensional battle space, beyond the conventional territorial military domain, has also raised importance for the futuristic defence technologies such as Saksham.

Features of the Saksham

• Operates on the secure Army Data Network(ADN)
• 3D battlefield visualization and real-time threat detection
• AI enabled predictive analysis
• Sensor and weapon integration for synchronized response
• Modular command-and-control grid system
• Provides unified “Recognised UAS Picture” across the new domains such as the Tactical Battlefield Space(TBS)
• Has reach and visualization upto 10,000 feet above the ground level
• Receives and integrates war-time or critical information from radars, electro-optical systems and other sources to detect threat and ignite real-time response
• Automatic decision-making ability and enhanced accuracy to neutralize aerial threats
• Serves as the command backbone that unifies radars, sensors, hard-kill and soft-kill capabilities

Thus, Saksham renders seamless situational awareness to the Armed Forces under sensitive situations and in fragile spaces. Saksham is also a maiden yet exceptional step in the defence indigenization path of the country, especially in the counter-Unmanned Aerial System(C-UAS) grid. Saksham is indeed a pillar script in the saga of seeking self-reliance in the defence and national security ecosystem of the country.