Akash
India's indigenous medium-range shield against air attack.
About the Akash
Akash is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Army and the Air Force variants of the missile system are produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Surveillance and fire control radar, Tactical Command and Control Center and missile launcher are developed by BEL, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro.
Service history
Akash emerged from the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme launched in 1983, and took until 2009 to enter service — a long gestation that nonetheless produced a system with unusually high indigenous content. Its ramjet sustainer lets it manoeuvre throughout the engagement rather than coasting. Armenia became the first export customer in 2022.
Combat edge
Ramjet sustainer powers the missile all the way to target
Rajendra phased-array radar guides multiple engagements
Around 96% indigenous content
First Indian SAM exported, to Armenia in 2022
Related platforms
MRSAM (Barak 8)
Indian-Israeli jointly developed surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
QRSAM (Anant Shastra)
Surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and Development.
Akash-NG
Medium-ranged, mobile surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research.