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India flight tests surface-to-air Akash missile second time in two days

It demonstrated high maneuverability needed for neutralising fast, agile threats

PTI07_23_2021_000170B DRDO successfully tests Akash-NG missile from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha | PTI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the second successful flight-test of its new generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile. The missile was successfully flight-tested for the first time two days ago.

The test, carried out from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha at 11.45 hrs on Friday, was against a high-speed unmanned aerial target which was successfully intercepted by the surface-to-air missile. The missile demonstrated high maneuverability required for neutralising fast and agile aerial threats.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the team of defence scientists, and said, "The development of this state-of-the-art missile system will prove to be a force multiplier for air defence capabilities of Indian Air Force".

The next-general Akash missile flight test has validated the functioning of complete weapon system, consisting of the missile with indigenously developed RF Seeker, launcher, multi-function radar and command, control and communication system.

"The test was carried out amidst inclement weather conditions, proving the all-weather capability of the weapon system," a DRDO official said, while adding that the system performance was validated through the data captured by a number of radar, telemetry and electro optical tracking systems deployed by ITR, Chandipur. A team of Indian Air Force officers witnessed the test.

On Wednesday, the missile was successfully flight-tested without seeker meeting all the mission requirements.

Existing version of Akash missile was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2014 and the Army in 2015. In February this year, the Union cabinet cleared the export of Akash missile systems. The Centre also formed a high-powered panel to grant swift approval to export military hardware as Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a target for Indian defence exports—$5 billion by 2024.

Countries like Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kenya and Algeria have expressed their interest in Akash, which is capable of targeting aerial assets within a range of 25km. Defence officials claim that Akash is around 50 per cent cheaper than its competitors. Other Indian systems like radars and sonars too cost only a quarter to one-fifth of similar systems available in the global market. All export versions will be different from the ones inducted into the Indian armed forces, as no country sells the best variant.

India’s missile programme took off in 1982, when former prime minister Indira Gandhi decided to develop indigenous missile systems. She formed a Missile Study Team with A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as its head. The team recommended the phased development of five missiles—Trishul and Akash surface-to-air missiles, Nag anti-tank missile, Prithvi short-range ballistic missile and Agni.

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