New generation Akash missile performs flawlessly once again

Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force. 

Defence Research & Development Organisation on Wednesday successfully carried out the testing of the new generation Akash surface-to-air missile from Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha.

"The flight trial was conducted at around 12:45 PM from a land-based platform with all weapon system elements such as Multifunction Radar, Command, Control & Communication System and launcher participating in the deployment configuration," the DRDO said.

The missile system has been developed by Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories. 

On the occasion, an Indian Air Force delegation was also present. 

"In order to capture flight data, ITR deployed a number of Range stations like Electro-Optical Tracking System, Radar and Telemetry. The flawless performance of the entire weapon system has been confirmed by complete flight data captured by these systems," it added.

During the test, the missile demonstrated the high manoeuvrability required for neutralising fast and agile aerial threats, like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles as well as ballistic missiles.

Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force. 

The indigenously developed medium-range nuclear-capable missile of DRDO has a target range of 70 km.

The missile was test-fired for the first time in January and the second time in March.

It has been targeted to induct the missile into IAF in the next two years.