The surface-to-air Akash-NG (new generation) missile off the coast of Orissa has been successfully tested by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The missile is capable of intercepting air attacks. The missile was launched to boost the Indian Air Force`s defense system (IAF).

 

♦ Akash-NG is a mobile surface-to-air missile defense system that is medium-range.

♦ It was created by the Organization for Defense Research and Development (DRDO).

♦ The missile is jointly developed by Bharat Dynamics Co., Ltd. (BDL) and Balata Electronics Co. (BEL), Tata Power Strategic Engineering Department, and Larsen and Tuburo, which designs missile systems. The latter has been designing radars. Control center and system for launch.

♦ The missile has the potential to strike aircraft at a distance of 50-60 km at an altitude of 18,000 m. Air targets, including fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles, can be counteracted by missiles.

♦ The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are fighting against this missile. It uses a ramjet propulsion system that is integrated. After the initial rocket engine burns out before it is intercepted, the propulsion system provides continual thrust for the missile.

♦ The export of the Akash missile defense system was authorised by the Cabinet Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2020. After that, interest in the Akash missile system was shown by countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

♦ The Akash battery consists of a single electronically scanned passive Rajendra 3D array radar, or Basic Rajendra radar, and four launchers, each with three missiles. Up to 64 targets can be tracked by each shell and up to 12 objectives can be targeted. It consists of a pre-fragmented 60 Kg highly explosive warhead. The missile will protect the vehicle in motion. It offers air defense missile coverage of 2,000km.