Everything You Need To Know About Akash Prime - The Latest Range Of Missile In India's Arsenal
India on Monday successfully test-fired a new version of the Akash missile. The new range - named Akash Prime was tested from the integrated test range at Chandipur in Odisha.
In its maiden flight test, the Akash Prime missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking an enemy aircraft.
The range stations of ITR comprising Radars, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry stations monitored the missile trajectory and flight parameters.
According to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash Prime missile improves on the capabilities of the existing Akash range. The modified ground system of the existing Akash weapon system was for the flight test.
"In comparison to the existing Akash system, Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active RF seeker for improved accuracy. Other improvements also ensure more reliable performance under a low-temperature environment at higher altitudes," a DRDO official told PTI.
Surface-to-air missile??
The medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will replace the Russian 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) missile system, currently in service.
DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy said Akash Prime system will further boost the confidence of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force as the Akash system is already inducted and now getting improved with more lethal missiles.?
The Indian Air Force has already deployed Akash at its bases in Gwalior, Jalpaiguri (Hasimara AFS), Tezpur, Jorhat and Pune .?
Indian Army had deployed Akash air defence system along Line of Actual Control in Ladakh as tension rose between India and China 2020 China¨CIndia skirmishes.
India is self reliant?
Last week Reddy had said that India has achieved "complete self-reliance" in missile technology and the most advanced missiles can now be developed in the country.
He mentioned the five missiles -- Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul Nag -- developed by India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
"We developed, Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul, Nag under the IGMDP. Agni was also a technology demonstrator for the country in going out of the atmosphere and returning to the atmosphere.
"And, then we joined a select club of countries with ballistic missiles which can intercept an enemy missile and kill it. And, then many more missiles with long-range and more capabilities," he said.
"Today I can confidently say that we are having complete 'Atmanirbharta' in the missile technology, and we can develop the most advanced missiles in the country," Reddy said.
In March this year, the DRDO had test fired the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology which will give a technological advantage in developing long-range air-to-air missiles.
DRDO had started the development of the SFDR technology in 2013 and it was first tested in 2018.
Akash is one of the best and most cost-effective missiles in its class globally. It is estimated to cost under Rs 2 crore which is less than half the cost of similar Western missiles which usually cost between Rs 5-6 crore. It is expected that this cost will further decrease due to the economies of scale achieved as production ramps up.
Variants of Akash??
Currently, there are three Variants of Akash - Akash 1S, Akash Prime and Akash NG.
The Akash NG which stands for Akash - New generation was approved in September 2016 with a funding of Rs 470 crore to succeed Akash and Akash-1S with improved capabilities. Akash-NG will have an improved reaction time and higher level of protection against saturation attacks.?
The second stage uses dual-pulse solid rocket motor which is lighter instead of air-breathing solid ramjet engine to increase the overall range from current 40 km to greater than 80 km, an active electronically scanned array Multi-Function Radar (MFR) and optical proximity fuze.
