DRDO test-fires upgraded Akash-NG missile

New Delhi, January 12

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested Akash-NG missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, at 10.30 am on Friday.

Akash-NG is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed and agile aerial threats. “The successful flight-test has paved the way for user trials (by the forces at their level),” the Ministry of Defence said. The Indian Air Force has already inducted the Akash missile system while Akash-NG is its upgrade. The test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at a very low altitude. During the test, the target was successfully intercepted by the missile and destroyed. It has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system comprising the missile with indigenously developed radio frequency seeker, launcher, multi-function radar and command, control and communication system.

The system performance was also validated through the data captured by a number of radars, telemetry and electro optical tracking system deployed at the Chandipur test range. The test was witnessed by senior officials from the DRDO, Air Force, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the DRDO, Air Force, PSUs and other stakeholders in the industry for the test.