Indigenously developed Akash Weapon System (AWS) inducted into Indian Army

The first regiment of the indigenously developed Surface-to-Air missile Akash Weapon System (AWS) on 5 May 2015 was inducted into the Indian Army in New Delhi.

It is part of the orders for two regiments placed by the Army worth about 19000 crore rupees.

Features of Akash Weapon System (AWS)
• Each regiment of AWS consists of six launchers with each launcher having three missiles.
• It consists of sophisticated radars and control systems to guide the missile towards the target.
• Each missile weighs 720 kg having a length of 5.78 meters.
• It is fully automated and can simultaneously engage multiple targets in all weather conditions including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in addition to helicopters and fighter planes.
• It has a large operational range from a low altitude of 30 metres to a maximum of up to 20 km.
• At 96 per cent indigenisation, it represents a major capability development for a crucial weapon system.
• Unlike the Air Force version, which was inducted in March 2012, the Army variant of Akash is designed for high mobility and can be quickly moved to any operational theatres based on necessity.
• Akash has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and is being built by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• It was originally planned as part of the five missiles under the Integrated Guided Missile Development (IGMD) Programme initiated in 1984.

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