Why in news?
During the BRICS summit preparations, reports indicated that Brazil expressed interest in India’s medium‑range surface‑to‑air missile system Akash. The system had recently gained attention after it was used in “Operation Sindoor,” a demonstration of indigenous air‑defence capabilities.
Development and features
- Akash was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. It entered service in 2007.
- Range: The missile can engage targets between 4.5 km and 25 km away and at altitudes from 100 metres to 20 km.
- Speed: It is supersonic, reaching Mach 2.5 (about 3 times the speed of sound).
- Guidance: Akash uses command guidance with a phased‑array radar (Rajendra radar) and can track multiple targets while guiding several missiles simultaneously.
- Mobility: The system is mounted on road‑mobile or rail‑mobile platforms, making it deployable across varied terrains. It has all‑weather, day‑and‑night capability.
- Electronic counter‑countermeasures (ECCM): Built‑in features allow Akash to operate in environments with electronic jamming. Friend‑or‑foe identification (IFF) prevents fratricide.
Significance
- Strategic autonomy: Akash’s indigenous development reduces dependence on imported air‑defence systems and aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- Export potential: Its cost‑effectiveness and proven performance have attracted interest from several countries. India has offered the system to Vietnam, the Philippines, Armenia and now Brazil.
- Versatility: The missile can protect high‑value assets like airfields, ports and industrial complexes against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones.