Indian Army considering "several Akash missile squadrons "

[Ruag]

Army warms up to Akash missile

India’s long-criticised Akash anti-aircraft missile is now blazing towards success. Its counterparts in the DRDO’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, the Prithvi and Agni ballistic missiles, were on target from the start; the anti-tank Nag missile will also enter service shortly; the Trishul short-range anti-aircraft missile was abandoned unceremoniously. Now, after years of rejection from the military, the Akash is being accepted as a world-class missile.

The IAF’s order last year for two Akash squadrons — dismissed by sceptics as a face-saving burial for the Akash programme — has just been doubled with a fresh IAF order for 16 more launchers that will be stationed in northeast India. And now, Business Standard has accessed even better news for the Akash programme: the Indian Army is considering ordering several Akash squadrons for its ground forces.

The DRDO’s Chief Controller for R&D, Prahlada, has confirmed that the army is displaying fresh interest in the Akash. Asked for details, Prahlada told Business Standard, “I cannot say whether the army is interested in the Akash for its strike corps, or for another role. In any case, the Akash is a mobile system that is suitable for various roles.”

But protecting fast-moving tank columns from enemy fighters is what the Akash does best. For years the DRDO laboured to fit the entire Akash system — including radars, missile launchers and command centres — into T-72 tanks. This provided the Akash with the cross-country mobility to advance deep into enemy territory along with Indian Army strike corps, shooting down enemy fighters at ranges as far out as 25 kilometres.

Planned as a replacement for the army’s obsolescent Russian SAM-6 Kvadrat, the heart of an Akash missile battery is the Hyderabad-developed Rajendra phased-array radar that tracks up to 64 enemy fighter aircraft simultaneously, in a radius of 60 kilometres. The mobile command centre selects up to four of the most threatening air targets, and two Akash missiles are fired at each from the T-72 based Akash launchers, which move alongside. The Rajendra radar continuously guides the missiles, eventually “flying” them smack into the enemy fighters.

Theoretically, a “ripple” of two Akash missiles has a 99 per cent chance of shooting down a modern fighter aircraft. Practically, however, in 9 live Akash trials so far, all 9 missiles that were fired hit their targets. Videos of the firing trials, witnessed by Business Standard, show the Akash missiles smashing their targets into tiny fragments at ranges beyond 20 kilometres.

The DRDO has taken 20 years to develop the cross-country mobile, tank-mounted version of the Akash missile system that the army is now interested in. Criticism of this delay has been vocal, but the DRDO counters by pointing to the quality of its product: the Akash, says the DRDO, is the only system of its kind available globally.

A top DRDO scientist at the missile complex in Hyderabad points out, “Western countries like France, which make missiles in the technological league of the Akash, don’t mount the entire system on a tank, something that the Indian Army insists on. Only the Russians build tank-mounted missile systems, but their missile technology is far inferior to that of the Akash. All that the Russians can offer today is the next generation of the Kvadrat.”

The defence PSU, Bharat Electronics Limited, is the nodal production agency for the Akash missile system, supported by a broad consortium of Indian public and private sector manufacturers who contribute components and sub-systems. Bharat Dynamics Limited manufactures the solid-fuel, two-stage, ramjet Akash missile itself.

Army warms up to Akash missile

 

[navtrek]

Thats great news recognition of all the good work at last.

This system is claimed to be more accurate than the MIM-104 Patriot as it has thrust during the entire course of its flight compared to the Patriot that has thrust only for the first 12 seconds, after which the missile coasts, thus making it less accurate. Apart from that the Akash can be launched from static or mobile platforms, including a battle tank.

 

[sudhir007]

 

[conworldus]

Thats great news recognition of all the good work at last.

This system is claimed to be more accurate than the MIM-104 Patriot as it has thrust during the entire course of its flight compared to the Patriot that has thrust only for the first 12 seconds, after which the missile coasts, thus making it less accurate. Apart from that the Akash can be launched from static or mobile platforms, including a battle tank.

don't those missiles look too big for a tank???

I am pretty sure the Patriot missile has thrusts for the entire flight. Where did you find the 12-second number? Anyways, comparing accuracy is not really possible for a missile that's not battle tested. You can compare the range, reliability, launch time, cost effectiveness, etc...

 

[beckham]

don't those missiles look too big for a tank???

The Army's radar and launchers are based on the T-72 '' chassis'' to accompany the Army's fast moving armoured formations.





While Air Force versions use a combination of tracked and wheeled vehicle.

I am pretty sure the Patriot missile has thrusts for the entire flight. Where did you find the 12-second number? Anyways, comparing accuracy is not really possible for a missile that's not battle tested. You can compare the range, reliability, launch time, cost effectiveness, etc...

Liquid-fuelled missiles like Patriot would have burnt up all the fuel before they reach the target. In solid-fuel systems, the fuel is rationed so that the velocity is maintained throughout the flight. Akash has an integrated ram-rocket,giving it high manoeuvrability. The engine is 'on' throughout the flight. The thrust is on till the missile intercepts the target.

 

[navtrek]

don't those missiles look too big for a tank???

I am pretty sure the Patriot missile has thrusts for the entire flight. Where did you find the 12-second number? Anyways, comparing accuracy is not really possible for a missile that's not battle tested. You can compare the range, reliability, launch time, cost effectiveness, etc...

This system is claimed to be more accurate than the MIM-104 Patriot as it has thrust during the entire course of its flight compared to the Patriot that has thrust only for the first 12 seconds, after which the missile coasts, thus making it less accurate. Apart from that the Akash can be launched from static or mobile platforms, including a battle tank

Akash missile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

DR Prahlada

 

[navtrek]

i think there was recent talk that Malaysia is interested in buying them
hope they do.

 

[amunhotep]

i thought that the indian army was interested in the SPYDER system for short range air-defence .

what does this mean for SPYDER ?????

also since the MRSAM system will take atleast a decade before it can be inducted, what measures do indian have in place for long-range interception???????????

asking because while the akash can shoot down helicopters, it is in-effective against High-Altude platforms

 

[TaimiKhan]

Liquid-fuelled missiles like Patriot would have burnt up all the fuel before they reach the target. In solid-fuel systems, the fuel is rationed so that the velocity is maintained throughout the flight. Akash has an integrated ram-rocket,giving it high manoeuvrability. The engine is 'on' throughout the flight. The thrust is on till the missile intercepts the target.

Patriot is a liquid fueled missile ??

If the manufacturer or any American member on this forum read he would be like &

Before posting something technical, a little bit study would be a good thing.

Plzzzz all of the guys who think Patriot is a liquid-fueled missile, read about the Patriot and change your views about it and also read about what liquid fueled missiles are and what solid liquid missiles are, also the pros and cons with it too.

As a starter, here is the appetizer for you guys to further work on.

"The PAC-3 Missile uses a solid propellant rocket motor, aerodynamic controls, attitude control motors (ACMs) and inertial guidance to navigate. The missile flies to an intercept point specified prior to launch by its ground-based fire solution computer, which is embedded in the engagementcontrol station . Target trajectory data can be updated during missile flyout by means of a radio frequency uplink/downlink. Shortly before arrival at the intercept point, the PAC-3 Missile's on board Ka band seeker acquires the target, selects the optimal aim point and terminal guidance is initiated. The ACMs, which are small, short duration solid propellant rocket motors located in the missile forebody, fire explosively to refine the missile's course to assure body-to-body impact."

Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

HowStuffWorks "The Patriot Missile"

 

[TaimiKhan]

Also, plz watch the video of PAC-3 missile tests and see the parts where the PAC-3 is impacting its target, it can be clearly seen that the solid-fueled rocket engine is ON, neglecting the theory of 12-sec burn as put forward in one of the posts. I have read many times about Patriot missile system, never read anywhere the 12-sec burn theory. Hope the link to that fact mentioned is also provided.

 

[Ruag]

Patriot is a liquid fueled missile ??

If the manufacturer or any American member on this forum read he would be like &

Before posting something technical, a little bit study would be a good thing.

Plzzzz all of the guys who think Patriot is a liquid-fueled missile, read about the Patriot and change your views about it and also read about what liquid fueled missiles are and what solid liquid missiles are, also the pros and cons with it too.

As a starter, here is the appetizer for you guys to further work on.

"The PAC-3 Missile uses a solid propellant rocket motor, aerodynamic controls, attitude control motors (ACMs) and inertial guidance to navigate. The missile flies to an intercept point specified prior to launch by its ground-based fire solution computer, which is embedded in the engagementcontrol station . Target trajectory data can be updated during missile flyout by means of a radio frequency uplink/downlink. Shortly before arrival at the intercept point, the PAC-3 Missile's on board Ka band seeker acquires the target, selects the optimal aim point and terminal guidance is initiated. The ACMs, which are small, short duration solid propellant rocket motors located in the missile forebody, fire explosively to refine the missile's course to assure body-to-body impact."

Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

HowStuffWorks "The Patriot Missile"

Dude... chill. There is no doubt that the PAC-3 is powered by a solid propellant.

No need to get so excited.

 

[paritosh]

i thought that the indian army was interested in the SPYDER system for short range air-defence .

what does this mean for SPYDER ?????

also since the MRSAM system will take atleast a decade before it can be inducted, what measures do indian have in place for long-range interception???????????

asking because while the akash can shoot down helicopters, it is in-effective against High-Altude platforms

have you forgotten that we share a common border?
why would we be interested in shooting down PAF planes in Pakistani territory?
a 20-50 km range is good enough if the platform is mobile enough..

 

[Screaming Skull]

i thought that the indian army was interested in the SPYDER system for short range air-defence .

what does this mean for SPYDER ?????

also since the MRSAM system will take atleast a decade before it can be inducted, what measures do indian have in place for long-range interception???????????

asking because while the akash can shoot down helicopters, it is in-effective against High-Altude platforms

SPYDER SR-SAM has an interception range of up to 15 km while the AKASH’s range exceeds 25 km. Though both are SR-SAMs, they differ in their interception ranges and modes of deployment. Hence, the procurement of either of these missile systems will not have an adverse effect on the prospects of the other. I see an effective complimentary role for both within the two services of the Indian military. The SPYDER SR-SAM system is comparable to the TRISHUL in terms of their interception ranges and hence I am guessing that it will be a replacement for the failed TRISHUL program.
For MR-SAMs, India will deploy the land version of the BARAK-8 missile jointly being developed by India and Israel. It will have an interception range of up to 70 km. For exoatmospheric and endoatmospheric ballistic missile interception, we will have the PAD-I and the AAD-I in place within a couple of years. In phase-II of the BMD program, new interceptors will be developed to engage BMs of over 2000 km range. These same interceptors can also be used as LR-SAMs with ranges of over 120 km. Also, it is believed that we have already acquired a few batteries of the S-300 systems from Russia.

In a nutshell, our SAM arsenal will comprise of the following-

SR SAM - 15 km range - SPYDER
SR SAM - 25-30 km range - AKASH
MR SAM - Up to 70 km range - Land based BARAK-8
Exoatmosphere BM interceptor - PAD-I
Endoatmospere BM interceptor - AAD-I
LR SAM – Up to 120 km range - AAD-II (phase 2 of BMD program)
S-300/S-400 LR SAM for vital installations' security

 

[amunhotep]

SPYDER SR-SAM has an interception range of up to 15 km while the AKASH’s range exceeds 25 km. Though both are SR-SAMs, they differ in their interception ranges and modes of deployment. Hence, the procurement of either of these missile systems will not have an adverse effect on the prospects of the other. I see an effective complimenting role for both within the two services of the Indian military. The SPYDER SR-SAM system is comparable to the TRISHUL in terms of their interception ranges and hence I am guessing that it will be a replacement for the failed TRISHUL program.
For MR-SAMs, India will deploy the land version of the BARAK-8 missile jointly being developed by India and Israel. It will have an interception range of up to 70 km. For exoatmospheric and endoatmospheric ballistic missile interception, we will have the PAD-I and the AAD-I in place within a couple of years. In phase-II of the BMD program, new interceptors will be developed to engage BMs of over 2000 km range. These same interceptors can also be used as LR-SAMs with ranges of over 120 km. Also, it is believed that we have already acquired a few batteries of the S-300 systems from Russia.

In a nutshell, our SAM arsenal will comprise of the following-

SR SAM - 15 km range - SPYDER
SR SAM - 25-30 km range - AKASH
MR SAM - Up to 70 km range - Land based BARAK-8
Exoatmosphere BM interceptor - PAD-I
Endoatmospere BM interceptor - AAD-I
LR SAM – Up to 120 km range - AAD-II (phase 2 of BMD program)
S-300/S-400 LR SAM for vital installations' security

you just don't get the point do you??????? both the MR SAM as well as the AAD-1 & PAD-1 is years away from actual deployment , they can be inducted not before 2017

my question remains unanswered.... what will india do between 2010-2017???? for long-range interception ?????

 

[Tejas-MkII]

As article say NAG will also join the army shortly ...it look IA is finally gaining sense and i hope it continue..

And the next thing on the card will be next batch order of ARJUN MBT, hopefully by the end of the year.

By the way why are we discussing this separately , we already have sticky thread about indian missiles.