 "India’s shield in the skies: What is the Integrated Air Command and Control System used during Operation Sindoor?")
India’s ability to defend its airspace during recent escalations under Operation Sindoor was not the result of coincidence, but a reflection of its sophisticated and layered air defence network.
Central to this success was the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), a system that ties together data, surveillance, weapon systems and decision-making tools across the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army, Navy and other allied units.
As tensions escalated and waves of Pakistani drones, rockets and missiles were launched to target Indian military positions and critical infrastructure, India’s response came swiftly and decisively.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded India’s air defence during his Tuesday (May 13, 2025) visit to the Adampur airbase in Punjab . “Pakistan’s drone, their UAVs, aircraft and missiles - all of those failed before our capable air defence. I extend heartfelt appreciation to the leadership of all air bases of the country and every air warrior of the Indian Air Force. You have done a really fantastic job. I am proud of the of the fact that India forces took great care not to harm civilian aircrafts,” he said, addressing members of the Indian Armed Forces.
Behind all the rapid and successful retaliation was a digital backbone: IACCS.
This network-enabled command structure helped coordinate the country’s multi-tiered air defence environment, thwarting the aerial threat in real time and preserving both civilian and strategic targets.
What we know about the IACCS
The Integrated Air Command and Control System is an automated command and control infrastructure developed by the Indian Air Force. It brings together various data streams and assets — from radars and fighter jets to unmanned systems and surveillance platforms — to generate a live, comprehensive view of the airspace.
This view, known as the Recognised Air Situation Picture (RASP), enables commanders at all levels — strategic, operational, and tactical — to make informed, time-sensitive decisions.
The IACCS system processes inputs from homogeneous and heterogeneous radars — both two-dimensional and three-dimensional — along with feeds from airborne early warning platforms (AWACS), UAVs, airbases, civil aviation radars and observation posts.
These are all compiled at centralised Command and Control Centres. The output is a precise, real-time air situation image, critical for ensuring rapid detection, tracking and neutralisation of any incoming threats.
The connectivity framework that enables IACCS is built upon a wide-area IP-based network, ensuring secure and fast transmission of data. This architecture is key to India’s network-centric warfare (NCW) capabilities.
How a modern defence grid was built in India
The roots of IACCS lie in the transformation of military communication systems post-1999. Following the Kargil conflict, it became evident that India required a more centralised and technologically superior method of managing its airspace and battlespace operations.
In 2003, the Directorate of IACCS was established, and the groundwork began to digitise air command and control across the country.
The true leap occurred in 2010 with the launch of the Air Force Network (AFNET) — a secure, digital communications grid that replaced outdated troposcatter systems from the 1950s.
AFNET served two purposes: modernising defence communications and contributing to national telecom infrastructure.
At its inauguration, then Defence Minister AK Antony said the network had the potential to “support net-centric operations,” a significant shift from earlier communication methodologies.
To demonstrate its effectiveness, two MiG-29s from an airbase in Punjab conducted a live interception of simulated targets in the western sector. This interception was displayed live on large screens in the Air Force auditorium, marking a new era of integrated air operations.
Building on AFNET, the IACCS framework was rolled out in phases.
Today, IACCS integrates air defence elements from multiple services, acting as a bridge between command centres and real-time battlefield awareness.
How India shields its airspace
India’s air defence structure is based on a multi-tiered concept that addresses threats across different altitudes and ranges.
Inner layer: This includes systems tailored for short-range, low-altitude targets such as drones. Platforms like legacy L70 guns, ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) are deployed for immediate defence.
Second layer: Comprising point defence systems that protect specific strategic installations, this layer features short-range surface-to-air missile systems like the Spyder, OSA-AK and Pechora.
Middle tier: This level includes medium-range SAMs such as the indigenously developed Akash missile system and the Indo-Israeli MRSAM — both vital for intercepting more distant threats.
Outer layer: The final shield consists of long-range platforms including the S-400 Triumf air defence system and combat-ready fighter aircraft. These are tasked with eliminating hostile assets well before they enter sensitive airspace.
During the events of May 7 to May 10, this multi-tiered grid successfully neutralised a variety of aerial threats — including Pakistani drones and PL-15 missiles — before they could inflict damage.
What we know about BEL-developed Akashteer
One of the latest advancements in India’s integrated air defence framework is the incorporation of the Akashteer system, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
Operated by the Army Air Defence Corps, Akashteer automates the processes of air defence control and reporting for ground-based units. Its command centres are vehicle-based, offering mobility and resilience in adverse conditions.
A major milestone has been the integration of Akashteer with IACCS, allowing seamless coordination between the Army and Air Force.
This unification boosts the effectiveness of India’s air defence by tightening the sensor-to-shooter loop — the time taken between identifying a threat and neutralising it.
Currently, over 400 command and control centres have been ordered under the Akashteer programme, with 107 already delivered.
How IACCS was crucial during Operation Sindoor
During Operation Sindoor, India’s air defence systems demonstrated remarkable coordination. Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal AK Bharti, highlighted the critical role played by the IACCS and the dedication of personnel behind its functioning.
A photo released during the press briefing featured the team responsible for running IACCS — a rare recognition of the people operating behind the scenes.
Picture of the Integrated Air Command and Control System released—crucial to the success of Operation Sindoor.#OperationSindoor pic.twitter.com/spabxZS1Pt
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) May 12, 2025
Air Marshal Bharti highlighted that IACCS provided the country with a “net-centric operational capability, which is vital to modern-day warfighting.” He also praised the performance of indigenous systems , saying:
“Our battle-proven systems have stood the test of time, and take them head-on. Another highlight has been the stellar performance of the indigenous air defence system, the Akash system. Putting together and operationalising the potent AD environment has been possible only because of budgetary and policy support from the government of India in the last decade.”
The systems were coordinated not just across the Air Force, but also with the Indian Navy, Army and security forces like the Border Security Force.
Can we do even better?
The idea of creating a tri-service Air Defence Command (ADC) was earlier proposed by the late General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff .
The vision was to consolidate the air defence assets of all three services under a single command.
However, the plan faced institutional and logistical challenges — particularly in reallocating defence resources across a geographically vast and diverse country — and has not yet been implemented.
Despite this, the integration achieved between IACCS and Akashteer, and the cooperative functioning of all forces during Operation Sindoor, hint at what a future ADC might look like in practice.
The Integrated Air Command and Control System has emerged as the linchpin of India’s airspace management and defence.
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