Why in news?
India’s home‑grown Akash surface‑to‑air missile system returned to the headlines in 2025 after successful tests of its Akash Prime variant at high altitudes in Ladakh and its effective performance during Operation Sindoor, where Indian forces countered cross‑border drone attacks. The developments prompted renewed interest in the missile’s capabilities and history.
Background
The Akash programme began in the late 1980s as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Early trials took place in the 1990s and 2000s. The missile was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2014 and the Indian Army in 2015. It was designed to provide short‑range air defence against fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles.
Akash is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and incorporates radar systems built by Bharat Electronics Limited. The core of the system is a command‑guided missile launched from a mobile platform and directed to its target by ground‑based radars. Variants include Akash‑1S with an indigenous seeker, Akash Prime optimised for high‑altitude operations and Akash‑NG (New Generation) offering extended range and faster reaction time.
Technical features
- Range and altitude: Akash can engage targets between 4.5 km and 25 km away and at altitudes from 100 m to 20 km. Upgraded versions like Akash‑NG extend the range beyond 25 km.
- Speed and propulsion: The missile is 5.8 m long, weighs about 710 kg and travels at Mach 2.5–3.5. It uses a combination of a solid rocket booster and a ramjet sustainer to maintain high speed.
- Warhead and guidance: Equipped with a 60 kg high‑explosive pre‑fragmented warhead, the missile is guided throughout its flight by ground‑based command signals. Variants like Akash‑1S and Akash Prime incorporate radio‑frequency seekers for improved terminal accuracy.
- Radars: A battery typically consists of a Rajendra 3D passive electronically scanned array (PESA) fire‑control radar and a 3D Central Acquisition Radar for surveillance. The system can track up to 64 targets and engage 12 targets simultaneously.
- Mobility and deployment: The entire weapon system—launchers, radars and control vehicles—is mounted on trucks, allowing rapid deployment by road or rail. It has built‑in power sources and electronic counter‑counter‑measures to resist jamming.
- Variants: Akash‑1S adds a seeker for better accuracy. Akash Prime is tailored for cold, high‑altitude regions with an active RF seeker and improved performance at low temperatures. Akash‑NG employs a dual‑pulse solid rocket motor, lighter airframe and longer range.
Significance
- Strategic deterrent: Akash provides a layered air‑defence umbrella over critical installations and troop concentrations. Its ability to engage multiple targets makes it valuable during high‑intensity conflicts.
- Self‑reliance and exports: As an indigenous system produced by Indian companies, Akash reduces dependence on foreign suppliers. Countries such as Vietnam and Brazil have expressed interest in purchasing the system, and the Indian government has approved its export.
- Operational flexibility: Mobile launchers and networked radars allow Akash batteries to be deployed quickly in diverse terrains—from plains to high mountains—providing protection for both static bases and moving columns.
- Continuous evolution: The development of Akash‑Prime and Akash‑NG shows DRDO’s commitment to iterative upgrades that keep pace with emerging threats such as drones and precision‑guided munitions.
Conclusion
The Akash missile system symbolises India’s progress in building a credible, indigenous air‑defence capability. Ongoing improvements and operational successes are likely to enhance its role in safeguarding the nation’s airspace and strengthen India’s position in the global defence market.
Source: Bharat Dynamics Limited · The Indian Express