SKAO : the radio astronomy observatory of the future, happening now!

The SKAO is a next generation facility for radio astronomy that is currently under construction in radio quiet regions in Australia and South Africa, with its global headquarters in the UK. The SKAO, expected to be ready for use by 2030, will transform our understanding of many key aspects of the Universe -- from the formation of the first stars and galaxies to searching for extra-terrestrial intelligence. It is also proving to be a driver in several important areas of technology and instrumentation. At present, there are 12 nations that are currently full members of the SKAO Council, bound together by an international treaty document to build, operate and use this next generation facility. With the recent Cabinet level approval, India signed the SKAO treaty and became a regular member state of the SKAO Council in July 2024. 

This talk will highlight the key aspects of the science and technology behind the SKAO, and the current status of the construction of the project. It will also bring out the role that India has been playing in this project since 2013, as well as describe the current status and our future plans for the next few years that have been enabled by the Cabinet approval.