Next-generation air-defence missile Akash tested successfully

New Delhi, January 12

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation Akash (AKASH-NG) air-defence missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on Friday.

The AKASH-NG is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high speed, agile aerial threats.

“The successful flight test has paved the way for user trials,” the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.

‘User trials’ means the missile and AKASH-NG system have moved to second stage as the forces would conduct its trials at their level. The Indian Air Force already has inducted the Akash Missile system. The AKASH-NG is an upgrade of that.

The flight-test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at a very low altitude. During the flight-test, the target was successfully intercepted by the missile and destroyed. It has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of 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 by the ITR. The flight-test was witnessed by senior officials from the DRDO, IAF, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO, IAF, public sector undertakings and the industry for the flight-test.