BALASORE: Two surface-to-surface nuclear capable Akash missiles were test-fired by the Indian Air Force (IAF) from a defence base off Odisha coast on Monday. They hit the para-barrels released from the same test range.
The complete Akash missile system including targets were operated by IAF personnel exploiting the overall capabilities of the system in different envelops. The missiles were fired from the launching complex-III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea.
The indigenously developed missile was fired at about 2.45 pm and 3.20 pm, a few minutes after the para-barrel was released as a target on both the occasions.
ITR Director MVKV Prasad said all the mission objectives were met and the missile system performed as expected.
Defence sources said two squadrons of Akash missile system developed by DRDO have already been inducted into IAF and the system was in continuous production and induction. The IAF personnel are readying to conduct two more trials on Tuesday.
Akash is India’s first indigenously designed, developed and produced air defence system, capable of engaging aerial threats upto a distance of 25 km. The total production value of Akash air defence system cleared for induction by Indian Army and Indian Air Force is more than Rs 23,000 crore.
The missile, which has a launch weight of 720 kg, a length of 5.8 metres and a diameter of 35 cm, can carry a payload of 60 kg. It can fly at supersonic speed of around 2.5 Mach and reach an altitude of 18 kms. The missile can be fired from both tracked and wheeled platforms.
Akash missile is crucial for India’s air defence programme as it will be used to counter enemy aircraft and air-to-surface missiles.