DRDO Successfully test Akash Prime in High Altitude Range in Ladakh

The Air Defence unit of the Indian Army conducted a successful user trial of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed air defence system, Akash Prime, in Ladakh at an altitude of 15,000 feet. 

The Akash Prime missile is one of the four variants of the Akash missile air defence system developed by DRDO, the others being Akash Mark-1, Akash-1S, and Akash NG (New Generation).

The Akash air defence system is being used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

The Akash air defence system played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, which neutralised the Pakistani drone attack on India.

About the Newly Tested Akash Prime 

Akash Prime has been designed to perform in a high-altitude war theatre targeting China and Pakistan.

According to the DRDO, the missile successfully engaged and destroyed two high-speed aerial targets during the trial.

The Aaksh Prime is equipped with an indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker, which significantly enhances its ability to hit the target with precision. 

It can perform with precision in a highly rarefied atmosphere, which is typically found at high altitudes.

The missile was first tested by DRDO in September 2021.

About the Akash Weapon System 

The Akash weapon system is a surface-to-air missile defence system that can engage helicopters, aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and other aerial threats. 

The Akash missile system is equipped with a radar system that detects incoming hostile aerial targets, can track and engage multiple targets, and can be launched from a mobile platform. 

A single Akash battery consists of a single indigenously developed Rajendra 3D passive electronically scanned array radar, four interconnected launchers, and three missiles.

It can engage up to 12 of the 64 targets it can track. 

The missile is equipped with Electronic Counter-Counter Measures.

Manufacturer of the Akash 

The Akash missile is being manufactured by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited(BDL). 

It is a public sector company owned by the government of India under the Union Ministry of Defence.

Types of Akash Missiles

Currently, the Akash Weapon System has four types of missiles - Akash Mark-1, Akash-1S, Akash Prime and Akash NG.

Akash Mark-1 and Akash-1S have been inducted into the Indian Armed Forces. Akash Prime and Akash NG are in the development phase,

Akash Mark -1

This was the first missile in the Akash missile system family.

It is a short-range surface-to-air missile system with a range of 4.5 km to 25 km.

The missile weighs 720 kg, has a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5.78 metres. 

It is a supersonic missile with a maximum speed of 2.5 Mach..

The missile can reach an altitude of 18 km.

It features built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM).

Akash -1S

Upgraded version of Aksah Mark-1.

It is equipped with an indigenous seeker. 

Strike range of up to 30 km.

It features a combination of both command and active terminal seeker guidance, which enhances its kill ratio.

It can engage hostile aerial targets at a distance of around 18 to 30 km.

Akash Prime 

It has been specifically built for high-altitude warfare.

Akash-NG

It will replace Akash Mark-1 and Akash-1S

It will be a medium-range surface-to-air missile with a range up to  80 km.

It will have a quicker response time than Akash Mark 1 and Akash-1S.

The missile will be equipped with an electronically scanned array Multi-Function Radar and optical proximity fuze.

Deployment of the Akash Weapon System 

The Akash Weapon System has been inducted in both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

Indian Army 

• The Indian Army has two regiments of the Akash air defence system, which includes Akash Mark-1 and Akash-1S. 
• Two more regiments of the Indian Army will be raised using the Akash Prime system.
• The Army has deployed the Akash Weapon System along the Pakistan border and in Ladakh.

IAF 

The IAF has deployed the Akash Weapon system at its: 

• Maharajpur Air Force Station, Gwalior,
• Hasimara Air Force Station,  Jalpaiguri
• Lohegaon Air Force Station, Pune,
• Tezpur Air Force Station, Tezpur, 
• Air Force Station, Jorhat.

Export - India has exported the Akash weapon system to Armenia.