SOURCE: AFI
In a significant step toward bolstering its technological edge, the Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the Advanced Data Processing Research Institute (ADRIN) for the design and development of an advanced precision targeting software dubbed “Location Awareness & Knowledge-Based Solution for High-Resolution 3D Layer Archive for Precision Targeting” (LAKSHYA-PT). The agreement, formalized on March 29, 2025, marks a milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
LAKSHYA-PT is an indigenously crafted software solution aimed at revolutionizing target acquisition for the Indian Army. Leveraging high-resolution imagery from India’s own satellite network, the system promises sub-decameter accuracy—meaning it can pinpoint targets with precision down to less than 10 meters. This capability is a game-changer for modern warfare, where the ability to strike with pinpoint accuracy can determine the outcome of engagements while minimizing collateral damage.
According to details sourced from JKNS, LAKSHYA-PT integrates advanced 3D mapping and location awareness technologies into a single platform. By creating a high-resolution, layered archive of terrain and target data, the software enhances the critical “sensor-to-shooter” link—the process of detecting a target and delivering a strike. This seamless integration is designed to empower artillery units, missile systems, and air assets with real-time, actionable intelligence, ensuring rapid and effective responses on the battlefield.
One of LAKSHYA-PT’s standout features is its reliance on indigenous satellite imagery, likely sourced from India’s constellation of earth observation satellites like Cartosat and RISAT, managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This eliminates dependence on foreign providers, reducing costs and enhancing operational security. Officials familiar with the project emphasized that the software offers a “low-cost, high-impact” alternative to imported systems, aligning with the government’s push for self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing.
“The system is a testament to India’s growing expertise in space-based technologies and software development,” an official said. “It strengthens our efforts to integrate advanced tools into warfare, ensuring precision targeting that’s both effective and economical.” By harnessing domestic resources, LAKSHYA-PT not only cuts procurement expenses but also ensures that sensitive targeting data remains within India’s control—a strategic advantage in an era of heightened cybersecurity concerns.
In modern military operations, the sensor-to-shooter link is the backbone of precision strikes. Sensors—whether satellites, drones, or ground-based radar—detect and locate targets, while shooters like artillery, missiles, or aircraft deliver the payload. LAKSHYA-PT bridges this gap by providing a unified platform that processes satellite imagery into detailed 3D models, overlays real-time intelligence, and feeds precise coordinates to weapon systems. Its sub-decameter accuracy is particularly valuable for engaging high-value targets, such as enemy command posts or mobile missile launchers, in complex terrains like the Himalayas or the deserts of Rajasthan.
The software’s knowledge-based approach suggests the incorporation of artificial intelligence or machine learning, enabling it to analyze patterns, predict target movements, and refine strike plans dynamically. This could prove invaluable along India’s contested borders with Pakistan and China, where rapid, accurate targeting is critical to countering threats like artillery emplacements or armored columns.
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