What is Akash Missile System? Check Range, Speed and Other Key Details

The Akash Missile System is an exceptional, strategically developed short to medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. It is designed to protect vital assets and vulnerable points from aerial threats. It can counter threats such as fighter jets, cruise missiles, UAVs, and air-to-surface missiles. 

The Akash Missile System is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Akash is a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in advanced military technology.

Key Features of Akash Missile System

• Type: Short to Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)
• Operational Range: 4.5 km to 25 km (some variants up to 30 km)
• Speed: Mach 2.5 to Mach 3.5 (up to 4,200 km/h)
• Altitude Coverage: 100 m to 18 km
• Warhead: 60 kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented (conventional or nuclear)
• Guidance: Command guidance with digital autopilot
• Kill Probability: 88% with a single missile, up to 99% with a salvo of two
• Mobility: Fully mobile on both tracked and wheeled platforms

System Architecture and Components

Akash Missile Battery Configuration:

• Rajendra PESA Radar: The crown jewel of the system, this 3D passive electronically scanned array radar can track a maximum of 64 targets and direct eight missiles simultaneously, attacking a maximum of four targets at one time. It offers real-time range, azimuth, and altitude data for accurate target engagement.
• Launchers: Every battery contains four launchers, each carrying three ready-to-launch missiles, which amount to 12 missiles per battery.
• Command and Control: The architecture incorporates a Battery Control Centre (BCC) and a Group Control Centre (GCC) for coordinated, automatic threat response and target allocation.
• Mobility: The whole system is carried on mobile platforms, for quick deployment and high survivability, whether protecting static installations or rolling convoys.

Missile Specifications

Advanced Capabilities

Multi-Target Engagement:
Akash can be used to track and attack multiple airborne targets simultaneously with the help of its modern radar and command and control systems. In group mode, a number of batteries can be connected together to cover vast areas, with adaptive deployment patterns (box, linear, trapezoidal) spreading up to 5,000 sq km.

Also Read | What is the Indus Water Treaty? Check the history and significance of this agreement

Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM):

The system is specifically designed to withstand jamming and electronic warfare and remain reliable even in hostile environments.

High Kill Probability and Redundancy:

One missile has an 88% chance of destroying its target; launching two missiles in rapid succession increases this to almost 99%.

Mobility and Rapid Deployment:

Akash's compatibility on both wheeled (e.g., T-72 tanks) and tracked vehicles enables it to be rapidly moved and deployed on varied landscapes, from mountains to deserts.

Also Checkout: History of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)

Operational History and Export

• Inducted by: Indian Air Force (2014), Indian Army (2015)
• Combat Employment: Effectively utilized in operational missions, such as recent events where it neutralized enemy air threats.
• Exports: In 2022, Armenia was the first foreign buyer. India has also made the Akash available for export to other nations, including the UAE.

Also Read | Indus Waters Treaty Timeline (1947-2025): Major Events, Suspension and What It Means for India?

Future Developments

The Akash series continues to evolve with the Akash-NG (Next Generation) variant being developed, with greater range, better mobility, and improved countermeasures for current battlefield requirements.

Akash Missile System is one of the mainstays of India's multi-layered air defence system. Its indigenization, advanced radar integration, mobility, and proven combat experience make it a formidable defence shield against a wide range of aerial threats, ensuring the protection of critical assets and contributing towards the improvement of India's strategic independence.