Bharat Electronics Limited develops AI-native upgrade for Indian air defence system
The upgrade to the Integrated Air Command and Control System aims to provide real-time threat ranking and weapon recommendations for the Indian Air Force.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has completed the development of core technologies for a next-generation upgrade to the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), according to a report by The Times of India.
The IACCS is an automated command and control network run by the Indian Air Force (IAF) that operates on the Air Force Network (AFNET). It integrates data from ground radars, airborne warning aircraft, drones, and air traffic control to create a single Recognised Air Situation Picture.
The new AI-native architecture will score and rank threats such as drones, cruise missiles, and saturation raids. It will recommend the most suitable weapon for interception, ranging from the S-400 or Project Kusha class to the Akash-NG or fighter intercepts.
The system will fuse data from various sources, including the indigenous Arudhra and Ashwini radars, Netra airborne warning aircraft, and satellite feeds. A human commander will remain in the loop during the process.
The upgrade links the IAF with Akashteer and the Navy's Trigun maritime domain-awareness network through the Joint Air Defence Centre. This creates a common operational picture across the three services.
The value of the existing system was demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, which began on May 7, 2025. During that operation, the IACCS helped detect and track drones and missiles, matching them with weapons like the S-400 and Akash to prevent duplication of layers.
