The ‘Akash Prime’ missile system developed by DRDO along with public sector enterprises such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) & Bharat Dynamics Limited public (BDL) and numerous other private sector companies, was successfully tested in the high-altitude region of Ladakh. The missile system successfully intercepted and took down two high speed unmanned aerial targets, thus, marking a new chapter in the new-age indigenous defence technologies of India.
What is ‘Akash’ Missile System?
‘Akash’ is a medium range surface-to-air missile system that can operate upto the vicinity of 25-30km. There are several versions of ‘Akash’ such as Akash Mark-1, Akash 1S and Akash NG. Each missile can carry upto 60kg of warhead and has the ability to target and neutralize multiple threats simultaneously. It can travel with the speed of 2.5 to 3.5 Mach i.e. at a supersonic speed and is capable of mid-course correction as well. It can target the threats in an altitude of 100 meters to 20kms.
Akash NG, proved its exceptional capabilities during ‘Operation Sindoor’ in defending the national security of India and articulating a firm strategic deterrence against the incoming aerial threats from the enemy camp. With its proven defensive capabilities, ‘Akash’ missile system is being exported to many nations, Armenia being the first.
Unique Features of ‘Akash Prime’
The latest version, ‘Akash Prime’ will be the third and fourth regiments of the indigenous ‘Akash’ weapon system. It was tested by the Indian Army and DRDO in Ladakh on Wednesday at an altitude of 4,500 metres. During the two-day trail, the weapon system precisely destroyed two high-speed UAVs.
The missile is specifically upgraded and designed to tackle the threats at a rarified high-altitude atmospheric regions. It is equipped with an indigenously developed active Radio Frequency(RF) seeker to ensure enhanced and timely precision targeting, irrespective of the weather and terrain.
“Based on the operational feedback, various upgradation will be made to Akash Prime in order to improve the operational effectiveness. The successful trail enhances India’s air defence potential in high-altitude frontiers that is imperative given current regional security priorities”, a defence ministry statement said.
The ‘Akash Prime’ missile, latest in the series is thus an addition to the booming indigenous defence sector and its evident operational effectiveness in real-time scenarios. It reinforces the nation’s offensive and defensive capabilities at any frontier, at any weather condition and under any crucial circumstances to protect the strategic autonomy, national security of the nation. These indigenous defence systems also boost the capability and credibility of India as the net security provider of the region, beyond the national borders, either in Indian Ocean or in the Indo-pacific.
