The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on Sunday that India had successfully tested the Akash missile system’s ability to engage four aerial targets at once at a range of 25 Kilometers.
It said India became the first country to have such a capability using a single firing unit, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said in a statement.
The demonstration was conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the Exercise Astrashakti 2023 at Suryalanka Air Force Station on December 12.
A single Akash firing unit deployed with a firing level radar, a firing control centre, and two launchers having five armed missiles each, detected, tracked, and engaged four unmanned aerial targets coming from the same direction in a close formation.
All four targets were successfully destroyed at maximum range (around 30 km) simultaneously.
What is the significance of the Akash missile system?
The Akash missile system is the first indigenous state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile system, having served with the Armed Forces for nearly a decade, defending Indian skies and providing national security.
The Akash missile system is designed and developed by the DRDO and produced by defence public sector units along with other industries.
The Akash missile system is capable of engaging multiple targets with high accuracy and reliability, and can operate in all weather conditions.
The Akash missile system has been deployed by the IAF and the Indian Army, and has also been exported to friendly countries.
The Akash missile system is a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), which also includes other missiles such as Agni, Prithvi, Nag, and Trishul.
