AKASH MISSILES

1. Context

Akash (“sky” in Sanskrit) is a mobile short-to-medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and currently in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

2. About Akash Missiles

Akash is developed to safeguard strategic locations and high-value assets by providing air defence capabilities. It is capable of tracking and engaging several airborne threats at once, including hostile aircraft, missiles, and drones.
The project was initiated in the late 1980s under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) by DRDO. Initial testing phases, such as system evaluations and live-fire exercises, took place during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
These were followed by comprehensive user evaluations by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army. The IAF officially inducted the Akash system in 2014, with the Army following suit in 2015.
Presently, both services operate several units equipped with the system. According to DRDO, Akash is approximately 96% indigenously developed, making it one of the most locally produced advanced defence systems in India.
Over 250 companies contribute to the manufacturing and supply chain, with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited handling key production responsibilities

3. Working of the Akash missile

An integrated 3D Central Acquisition Radar monitors the skies for incoming aerial threats. As per Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), this radar delivers three-dimensional target information—including distance, direction, and height—with a detection range of up to 120 km in all directions.
The Akash missile system is supported by an advanced multifunctional fire control radar called Rajendra, which can detect targets within an 80 km range. This radar is capable of simultaneously tracking several threats and guiding multiple missiles at once.
The radar's accurate tracking inputs are relayed to the command and control unit, which calculates the missile’s interception path.
The missile is launched from a mobile platform, each of which can carry up to three missiles. Weighing over 700 kilograms and powered by a ramjet engine, the Akash missile can achieve speeds up to Mach 2.5.
As the missile nears its target, an onboard seeker activates to ensure it locks onto and follows the moving threat. The Akash system is known for its high agility in flight, allowing it to adjust course mid-air, which enhances interception success rates.
In addition, it carries a 55 kg pre-fragmented warhead triggered by a proximity fuse. This allows the missile to inflict substantial damage even without a direct collision

4. Significance of Akash missile

PRECISION: The Akash missile system is known for its high accuracy and overall effectiveness in neutralizing targets. This performance stems from a combination of its advanced guidance system, agile missile design, and rapid reaction from detection to interception. Notably, the Rajendra radar is capable of tracking low-flying targets—a task that many traditional radar systems find challenging—throughout their flight path.
MOBILITY: The Akash system is fully mobile, with all components—including the missile launcher, command center, onboard guidance systems, C4I (command, control, communications, and intelligence) units, ground support gear, and the Rajendra radar—mounted on mobile platforms. This allows for swift transport, deployment, and repositioning by road or rail, enabling rapid adaptability in various operational scenarios.
ELECTRONIC RESISTANCE: The Akash system is equipped with electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities, providing strong resistance against enemy electronic warfare tactics. According to BEL, the system is highly resistant to both active and passive jamming. While electronic countermeasures (ECM) aim to disrupt or mislead detection systems like radar or infrared sensors, ECCM technologies are specifically designed to protect against such interference and maintain operational integrity

5. Future of Akash missile

The initial version of the Akash missile had a range of approximately 27 to 30 kilometers and was capable of reaching altitudes up to 18 kilometers. To enhance performance, the DRDO has been working on upgraded versions with improved range and capabilities.
Akash Prime: Although it maintains the same range as the original, Akash Prime is significantly more reliable under low-temperature conditions and at higher altitudes. This version was developed in response to operational feedback from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Army, who sought a system suitable for high-altitude defense of vital assets. It also features an indigenous active radio frequency seeker, which increases targeting precision. The missile’s first test flight took place in September 2021.
Akash-NG (New Generation): The DRDO has also developed and tested the Akash-NG, intended for the IAF to engage highly agile airborne threats that have a low radar cross-section (RCS). RCS measures how visible an object is to radar—lower values indicate greater stealth, as seen in fifth-generation fighter jets designed with radar-evading materials and shapes.
Akash-NG offers an extended range of up to 70 kilometers. It is lighter, more compact, and has a reduced logistics footprint. The missile is canisterized, meaning it is stored and launched from sealed containers, which enhances its shelf life and simplifies handling and deployment

6. Way Forward

In December 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the export of Akash after many friendly nations showed interest during international exhibitions. The export version, however, will be different from what is in service of the Indian armed forces

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