Akash Missile test-fired successfully off Odisha coast

The Akash supersonic missile was successfully test fired on Wednesday in a very low altitude near boundary mission from the Integrated Test Range, Balasore, Odisha.

This flight trial was the last among the validation trials being carried out by thr army on the first off production models of Akash supersonic missile.

The supersonic missile intercepted the very small unmanned fast moving Banshee aerial vehicle at 30 m altitude above sea level proving the system capability against subsonic cruise missile.

The sophisticated multi-function radar with built in features tracked the low flying target continuously throughout its course.

Special algorithms and techniques developed by the defence Research and development Organisation (DRDO) for overcoming the multiple target reflections coming from the sea worked perfectly in the mission.

With this flight trial, Indian Army accomplishes all the validation trials on the first off production models and the system is being delivered for induction.

Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, Secretary Department of Defence (RandD) and Director General of DRDO congratulated the teams from DRDO, production agencies and the army for successful demonstration of intercepting the target in a low altitude near boundary mission.

He said, "While indigenous development, production and induction of Akash is making very significant contribution to India's self-reliance in air defence technologies, Akash also has great export potential".

The trials were supervised by G.Chandramouli, Project Director Akash, and were witnessed by the Director General (Army Air Defence) and other senior officials of the army and the Ministry of Defence.

Akash mobile Air Defence Weapon System has been designed, developed and led to production by DRDO for defending and protecting the important assets of the country from penetrating aerial attacks.

It has completed all the development flight tests, user trials and the system is in production for army and air force.

The sophisticated technology has been successfully transferred to lead production agencies BEL and BDL.

More than 250 industries are engaged in production and supply of various subsystems, components with military and aerospace grade quality for Akash missile and ground systems.

BEL and BDL are engaged in executing the production orders worth more than Rs.20,000 crores placed by armed forces for the Akash missile systems.

In addition, independent orders for 3D-Central acquisition radar, an offshoot of Akash missile system have also been placed by the three services.

The Akash missile systems worth Rs.3500 crores has already been produced and delivered to the services.