Rahul9090
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HYDERABAD: As the indigenously developed 'Akash', the surface-to-air missile (SAM) was successfully test fired yesterday from the integrated test range at Chandipur, Odisha, Defence, Research and Development Organization (DRDO) kindled hope of a quick induction of Akash SAM into Army. With the aid of pilot less target aircraft, Lakshya, Akash missile successfully intercepted a flying target. Senior officials from ministry of defence said that today's test fire was more of a 'pre-induction trial'.
A senior official shared that while the Air Force version of Akash has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force, Army is yet to follow the same. According to senior official sources, Defence Acquisition Council has already given a nod to a combined order of Akash missiles for IAF and Army pegged at Rs 23,000 crore.
During its development trials so far, Akash missile has successfully intercepted flying targets consistently at different altitudes and ranges. "Though there might be a few more tests, but from our side, Akash is ready for induction and production", said the official. Hyderabased lab of DRDO, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) is amongst the major contributors towards development of Akash.
DRDO started developing Akash missile system way back in 1980s in collaboration with at least 300 public and private companies including a significant chunk from Andhra Pradesh as well, as per the officials. The missile is often evaluated against the American Patriot SAM but uses an integral ram jet rocket propulsion system in addition to being touted as more accurate and cheap. Akash was aimed to replace Russian 2K12 Kub missiles in service presently.
Developed indigenously under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme of India, autonomous Akash is an all weather area air defence weapon system for defending vulnerable areas against medium range air targets penetrating from various altitudes.
A senior official shared that while the Air Force version of Akash has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force, Army is yet to follow the same. According to senior official sources, Defence Acquisition Council has already given a nod to a combined order of Akash missiles for IAF and Army pegged at Rs 23,000 crore.
During its development trials so far, Akash missile has successfully intercepted flying targets consistently at different altitudes and ranges. "Though there might be a few more tests, but from our side, Akash is ready for induction and production", said the official. Hyderabased lab of DRDO, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) is amongst the major contributors towards development of Akash.
DRDO started developing Akash missile system way back in 1980s in collaboration with at least 300 public and private companies including a significant chunk from Andhra Pradesh as well, as per the officials. The missile is often evaluated against the American Patriot SAM but uses an integral ram jet rocket propulsion system in addition to being touted as more accurate and cheap. Akash was aimed to replace Russian 2K12 Kub missiles in service presently.
Developed indigenously under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme of India, autonomous Akash is an all weather area air defence weapon system for defending vulnerable areas against medium range air targets penetrating from various altitudes.
