In a significant step forward for its defence technology architecture, India has officially launched Project PRAGYASHAKTI — an ambitious programme to build a common integration framework for all major Electronic Warfare (EW) systems across the Indian Armed Forces. The initiative aims to bridge platforms of varying origins — from the United States, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom to home-grown Indian systems — and ensure seamless communication, data-sharing, and coordinated action among them.
A Diverse Fleet, One Challenge
One of the major drivers behind this move is the operational diversity faced by the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates one of the world’s most varied fleets — from legacy Soviet-era jets to modern Western fighters and indigenous aircraft. This wide spectrum of EW suites, sensors, and jammers poses a major interoperability challenge. By developing a unified software architecture, PRAGYASHAKTI seeks to enable real-time decision-making, mission planning, and cross-platform coordination across all three services — the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Core Objectives and Architecture
At the heart of Project PRAGYASHAKTI lies the creation of an Integrated Electronic Warfare Software (IEWS) Framework, featuring eight specialized software modules — known as Computer Software Configuration Items (CSCIs) — each handling a specific operational or analytical function. These modules are grouped into four categories:
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Control Entities: System-Level Control Centre (SLCC) and Block-Level Control Centre (BLCC)
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Communication Entities: Reconnaissance & Direction Finding System (RDFS) and Jammer Station (JS)
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Radar Entities: Radar Entity (RSEC)
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Specialist Entities: Cellular, UAV, and Satellite Interceptors
This structured architecture ensures efficient data management, standardized communication, and synchronized responses between diverse EW components.
Scope, Technology & Implementation
The PRAGYASHAKTI project unfolds in two major phases — Development and Implementation.
During the Development Phase, engineers will design and build eight unique software entities supporting radar, jammer, and interceptor operations. These will serve as the building blocks of the integrated framework.
In the Implementation Phase, the system will establish common operational standards across all entities — defining generic entity types, standardized user interfaces, and unified message formats. It will also integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for predictive analysis, automated reporting, and threat pattern recognition.
Additional technological enablers include:
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A shared EW database for all sensor types
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OASIS MQTT 5.0 protocol for advanced message exchange
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Generic Device Interface Layer for easier hardware integration
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AI-assisted data correlation and dynamic report generation
The timeline for development is well-defined: an SRS document in 3 months, Build 1 testing in 15 months, and Build 2 finalisation in 25 months.
Why It Matters in Modern Conflict
In future battlefield scenarios, especially those involving electronic jamming, drone incursions, or precision-guided weapon threats, interoperability will be crucial. Imagine a situation along the northern borders, where an enemy employs GPS spoofing and radio frequency denial. With PRAGYASHAKTI, India’s airborne, naval, and ground-based EW assets can operate as one — detecting hostile signals, sharing data in milliseconds, and executing coordinated countermeasures without manual intervention.
This approach transforms Electronic Warfare from an isolated, reactive process into a networked and proactive defence shield — ensuring faster reaction times, reduced redundancy, and enhanced survivability.
How Project PRAGYASHAKTI Works
Project PRAGYASHAKTI is designed to unify India’s Electronic Warfare (EW) systems across the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single software framework. It enables radars, jammers, interceptors, and communication systems from different origins to share data and act as one coordinated network.
The process begins with data collection from multiple EW sensors mounted on aircraft, ships, and ground stations. These systems detect enemy radar emissions, communication signals, and electronic activity. Because India operates platforms from Russia, the United States, France, and indigenous sources, the information comes in varied formats. PRAGYASHAKTI standardizes this data through a Generic Device Interface Layer, allowing all systems to communicate in a common digital language.
Once gathered, the system builds an Electromagnetic Order of Battle (EOB) — a real-time map of all signals in the operational area. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools analyse this data, identifying threats, classifying unknown signals, and predicting hostile actions such as GPS jamming or radar tracking.
The framework then issues coordinated instructions to all connected assets. If an enemy radar lock is detected, the system directs nearby jammers to disrupt the signal or shifts communication frequencies to maintain secure links. This ensures synchronized, interference-free operations among different service branches.
PRAGYASHAKTI’s distributed architecture ensures resilience. Even if the central command is disrupted, local nodes continue functioning using predefined response protocols. All mission data is logged to update threat libraries and refine AI algorithms for future engagements.
Global Parallels — Nations Using Similar Frameworks
India is not alone in pursuing such an integrated EW ecosystem. Several advanced military powers already operate comparable frameworks designed for multi-domain electronic warfare coordination.
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United States – JEMSO (Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations) : The U.S. integrates EW and cyber operations under JEMSO, creating a unified command structure for controlling the electromagnetic spectrum across all services.
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NATO – Standardized EW Integration : NATO has implemented STANAG-based EW interoperability standards, ensuring all allied members’ systems can share EW data and operate seamlessly in joint missions.
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United Kingdom – STICS Framework : The UK’s Strategic Information and Communications System (STICS) merges EW, C4ISR, and cyber elements for quick, modular integration and real-time coordination.
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China – PLASSF (Strategic Support Force) : China’s PLASSF centralizes electronic, cyber, and space warfare, creating a powerful joint structure capable of controlling the information domain in real time.
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Russia – REB (Radio-Electronic Combat) Network : Russia has built centralized EW networks linking ground and air assets through mobile REB systems like Krasukha and Borisoglebsk-2, capable of large-scale electromagnetic disruption.
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Israel – Unified EW and Cyber Systems : Israel blends its C4I, cyber, and EW capabilities into a single architecture, enabling rapid signal detection, jamming, and countermeasure deployment during high-intensity conflicts.
Strategic Impact
By launching Project PRAGYASHAKTI, India is taking a bold step toward digital self-reliance in defense warfare. The framework will make future EW systems AI-driven, interoperable, and modular, ensuring that each radar, jammer, or sensor adds strength to a nationally integrated defense network.
In the coming years, this project could serve as the foundation for joint-spectrum operations, allowing India to fight in an environment where data, signals, and speed define victory more than physical firepower.
Project PRAGYASHAKTI is not just another modernization effort — it represents India’s transition toward a future where data, AI, and electromagnetic dominance form the true front line of warfare.
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