Akash missile test-fired successfully

India Tuesday successfully test-fired the indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash missile for the second day from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur in Odisha, officials said.

The test firing was part of the user trial by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The missile is an air force version.

"The missile hit the para-barrel target. It was successful," said Chandipur ITR director M.V.K.V. Prasad.

Defence sources said the missile has already been inducted into the air force, and Tuesday's test firing was a "normal practice".

The medium range missile was also test-fired successfully Monday while similar trials would continue during the week, sources said.

The Akash missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a medium-range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defence system with a strike range of 25 km.

While it can carry a warhead of 60 kg, it has the capability to target aircraft up to 30 km away and is packed with a battery that can track and attack several targets simultaneously.