India's defence export narrative has so far been dominated by one name, BrahMos. The supersonic cruise missile has emerged as the country's flagship military export, attracting a few buyers as well as interest from many others. But another Indian system may be preparing for a similar global breakthrough. According to Reuters, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has shown interest in acquiring both the BrahMos missile and the Akashteer air defence system, a development that could prove just as significant for India's defence industry. If BrahMos represents India's offensive punch, Akashteer could become the face of its defensive technology exports.
The timing is important. Modern warfare is undergoing a dramatic shift. Cheap drones, loitering munitions and low-cost aerial threats are increasingly challenging some of the world's most sophisticated militaries. From Ukraine's long-range drone strikes deep inside Russia to the missile and drone exchanges witnessed across the Middle East, nations are scrambling to strengthen their air defence networks. In that environment, a system like Akashteer arrives at exactly the right moment.
