Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)

Akash Air Defence Missile System Latest News

India recently offered the indigenous Akash air defence missile system to the UAE.

About Akash Air Defence Missile System

• It is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile System to protect vulnerable areas and points from air attacks.
• It was indigenously designed and developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is produced by Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL). 
• The missile was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2014 and in the Indian Army in 2015.
• In 2022, Armenia became the first foreign country to buy this missile system.

Akash Air Defence Missile System Features

• It is 5.8 m long, has a diameter of 350 mm and a wingspan of 1,105mm. 
• Range of Operation : 4.5 km to 25 km
• Altitude of Operation : 100 m up to 20 km
• Guidance System : Command Guidance
• Target types: Helicopters, Fighter aircrafts, UAVs etc.
• It can simultaneously engage Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode. 
• It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features. 
• It has high immunity against active and passive jamming.
• The entire weapon system has been configured on mobile platforms.
• Open system architecture ensures adaptability to existing and futuristic Air Defence environments.
• The most important element of the Akash SAM system battery is its high-power, multi-function Rajendra phased array radar.
  • The 3D passive electronically scanned array Rajendra radar (PESA) can electronically scan and guide the missile towards targets. 
  • It provides information on the range, azimuth, and height of a flying target.

Akash Air Defence Missile System FAQs

Q1. What type of missile system is the Akash system?

Ans. Short Range Surface to Air Missile

Q2. Which organization developed the Akash Missile System?

Ans. DRDO

Q3. What is the operational range of the Akash missile?

Ans. 4.5 km to 25 km

Source: TOI