SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Akash-NG (Next Generation) surface-to-air missile system, a short-range mobile system with a range of up to 30 kilometres, is gearing up for confirmatory trials later this year in a near-production standard variant. This development comes after the successful testing of the system in 2021, marking a significant advancement in India’s air defence capabilities.
Earlier this year, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) achieved a crucial milestone by delivering the first Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker of the Akash-NG Weapon System. This RF Seeker, produced at BDL’s newly commissioned state-of-the-art Seeker Facility Centre (SFC), was handed over to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The RF Seeker is a pivotal and technologically advanced subsystem used in Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs) for target tracking during the terminal phase of flight.
Bhanu Prakash Srivastava of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) shared earlier this year that BDL anticipates orders for the Akash-NG in the fiscal year 2026-27, underlining the growing demand and confidence in this advanced missile system.
The Akash-NG system is designed to counter aerial threats and will be utilized by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). It comprises a complete weapon system, including the missile equipped with an indigenously developed RF seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar, and Command, Control, and Communication System. Notably, the system’s recent trials were conducted successfully even under adverse weather conditions, showcasing its all-weather capabilities.
Akash-NG represents a significant enhancement over its predecessor, the original Akash surface-to-air missile. The introduction of the RF seeker is one of the two key improvements in the new generation missile, the other being the replacement of the old ramjet with a new two-pulse rocket motor. These advancements make Akash-NG a formidable defence asset with enhanced accuracy, reliability, and versatility.
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