The Akash missile was successfully test-fired at a very low altitude near the boundary mission on Wednesday by the Indian Army from the Integrated Test Range near here. This flight trial was last among the validation trials being carried out by the Army on the first off-production models of the Akash missile.
The supersonic missile intercepted a very small unmanned fast-moving Banshee aerial vehicle at 30 m altitude above the sea level proving the system capability against subsonic cruise missile. The sophisticated multi-function radar with built-in features tracked the low-flying target continuously throughout its course.
The special algorithms/techniques developed by the DRDO for overcoming the multiple target reflections coming from the sea worked perfectly in the mission.
With this flight trial, the Indian Army accomplished all the validation trials on the first off-production models and the system is being delivered for induction.
Defence Minister’s Scientific Advisor Avinash Chander congratulated the teams from the DRDO, production agencies and Army for the successful demonstration. He said, “While indigenous development, production and induction of Akash is making very significant contributions to India’s self-reliance in air defence technologies, Akash also has great export potential.”
The Akash missile systems worth Rs 3,500 crore have already been produced and delivered to the armed services.