NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday formally inducted the indigenously-developed supersonic surface-to-air missile Akash into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, who received the Akash system’s ‘key’ from Parrikar at the IAF base in Gwalior, said a total of 27 missiles were fired after inking of the contract to ascertain the serviceability of the system in various conditions and a high success rate was achieved.
He said plans were afoot for procurement of additional Akash systems by the IAF. The IAF has given an initial contract for eight Squadrons of Akash defence system. Each Squadron has two firing units, with four launchers. Each launcher has a capacity to fire three missiles in quick succession.
Developed by the DRDO, the missile system could target aircraft up to 30 km away and at altitudes of up to 18,000m. It has the capability to neutralise aerial targets such as fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles. And the supersonic surface-to-air missile system is being built by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
Akash has already been deployed at the IAF bases in Gwalior, Hashimara, Tejpur, Jorhat and Pune. The deployment started in 2013.
“It is pertinent to note that Akash is the first made-in-India missile system and is a hallmark of sustained and focused work of the DRDO, BEL, private sector and more importantly the IAF,” an official release said.