Akash Missile - India’s First Supersonic Missile

Akash Missile is a mobile surface-to-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization in India. This powerful medium-range missile can target an aircraft up to 30 km and can conveniently neutralize other missiles and fighter jets. Akash Missile is in operation with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.

This missile was launched into service in the year 2009 in India. Since then, it has enabled the Indian Air Force and Army to destroy enemy aircraft with high explosives in the air. We have shared further information about the Akash Missile here.

Aakash Missile - Overview

The DRDO began developing the Akash Missile in the late 1980s under the Integrated

Guided Missile Development Program. The first systems and field tests and target neutralisation trials took place in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By 2009, the Aakash Missile was officially in service with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force use the Akash Missile in their defence system for combat and other air defence operations. We have shared an overview of this missile here.

About Akash Missile

To develop the Aakash Missile, several companies were engaged with the DRDO for the development and supply of various military and aerospace-grade quality subsystems, components, and ground systems. Akash Missile is a complex medium-range device that can launch up to a great distance.

Some of the companies that developed Surveillance and Fire control radar, tactical control and command centre and missile launcher for the development of Akash Missile are as follows -

• Bharat Electronics (BEL)
• Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division
• Larsen & Toubro

Akash Missile Range

This is a powerful missile that has an extensive range and can reach up to a great altitude. Here are some details about the Akash Missile -

• This comprises an indigenously developed radar that identifies oncoming aircraft at a distance of up to 120 kilometres and transmits the data to a command station.
• The extensive range of the Akash Missile allows it to hit warplanes up to 30 kilometres afar and at altitudes of 18,000 metres.
• This supreme air defence system can neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and ballistic missiles.

• Due to the extensive range of the Akash Prime Missile, it can engage numerous targets at once.
• It contains built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features.
• Moreover, the Aakash Missile also equips technologies that can counteract electronic systems that trick detection techniques.

History of Akash Missile

Aakash Missile is India's first indigenously engineered medium-range surface-to-air missile designed to offer air defence protection to sensitive regions. It was named after the original Sanskrit term meaning “sky” or “space”. Akash Missile is currently used by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force for defence purposes.

Produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited, the Akash Missile has a phenomenal engine system that can target up to 30 km in the air. It is a powerful aircraft that holds the ability to sever the enemy aircraft within seconds.

Akash Missile - Variants

The Akash Missile is bound to get more powerful, versatile, and accurate for longer ranges as technology advances. Here are the details about the variants of this powerful missile –

• Mark I - Tested in 2005, these missiles were capable of intercepting fast-moving objects in simultaneous engagement mode.
• Akash-1S - Tested in May 2019, this missile supports the use of both command and active terminal seeker guidance to improve single-shot kill probability and is designed for downing fighter aircraft and drones from a range of 18 to 30 kilometres.
• Akash Prime Missile - Tested in September 2021, the missile has an upgraded active radio-frequency (RF) seeker to improve accuracy and is also tuned for low-temperature and high-altitude missions with a revamped ground system.
• Akash-NG - This Aaksh Missile is anticipated to enter service in 2023 and will have a swifter reaction time and a higher level of defence against saturation attacks.

FAQs on Akash Missile

Q1. Where was Akash Missile developed?

Akash Missile was developed in India by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile that can destroy enemy targets within a range of 30 km. Aakash Missile provides air defence coverage to vulnerable zones.

Q2. What is the range of Akash Missile?

Akash Missile is known for its extensive range that helps us target medium-range enemy aircraft. This missile has a range of up to 30 km and can destroy objects like fighter jets, air-to-surface missiles, and cruise missiles within minutes.

Q3. What type of missile is the new generation Akash Missile?

Akash Missile is primarily a medium-range Surface-to-Air missile (SAM) produced to attack targets up to sixty kilometres away and travel at speeds extending to Mach 2.5. Aakash Missile is an upgraded active radio-frequency (RF) seeker to improve accuracy.

Q4. When was the first Akash Missile test flight conducted?

The test flight for Akash Missile occurred in 1990, with development flights continuing until March 1997. This missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization to neutralise the enemy’s aerial targets such as fighter jets and missiles.

Q5. What is the speed of the Akash Missile?

The speed of the Akash Missile can go up to nearly 860 meters per second (up to Mach 2.5) at a maximum height of 18 km. Aakash Missile is India’s first supersonic missile with an extensive range to target enemy aircraft and other air-borne objects conveniently.