SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s next-generation air defense system, the Akash-NG (New Generation) surface-to-air missile (SAM), is poised for its final round of high-altitude trials in the coming months, marking a critical step toward its induction into the Indian Armed Forces. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Akash-NG is nearly cleared for operational deployment following a series of successful tests. This milestone reinforces India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, showcasing indigenous innovation in countering advanced aerial threats.
The Akash-NG, designed to succeed the Akash and Akash-1S series, boasts significant upgrades, including an extended range of 70–80 km (up from 25–30 km), a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and a Ku-band active radar seeker unveiled at Aero India 2021. Its active electronically scanned array Multi-Function Radar (MFR) and optical proximity fuze enhance its ability to neutralize high-speed, low-radar-cross-section targets, such as stealth aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. With a canisterized launcher and reduced ground footprint, the missile offers greater mobility and deployability, making it ideal for India’s diverse terrains, including high-altitude border regions.
The upcoming high-altitude trials, expected within the next two months as per posts on X from February 22, 2025, will test the Akash-NG’s performance in extreme conditions—thin air, sub-zero temperatures, and complex mountainous terrain—critical for defending India’s Himalayan borders against threats from China and Pakistan. These trials, supervised by DRDO and the Indian Army, will validate the missile’s propulsion, electronics, and seeker performance at elevations up to 20 km. The Akash-NG builds on the Akash Prime’s high-altitude optimizations, with a First of Prototype Model (FoPM) incorporating enhanced capabilities for these tests.
Previous tests have demonstrated the Akash-NG’s prowess. On January 12, 2024, it successfully intercepted a high-speed, low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, validating the entire weapon system, including its RF seeker, launcher, MFR, and command systems. Earlier trials in 2021 and 2023 against electronic targets and Meggitt Banshee drones confirmed its all-weather capability and precision against agile threats. The system’s 96% indigenous content, supported by over 250 industries, underscores its role in India’s self-reliance drive.
The Akash-NG’s cost-effectiveness, with missiles priced below ?2 crore (compared to ?5–6 crore for Western equivalents), and its proven performance in real-world scenarios, such as Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where the Akash system neutralized Pakistani drones and missiles, have bolstered confidence in its induction. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army, which operate 15 Akash squadrons and four regiments respectively, are expected to place orders for Akash-NG in FY 2026–27, with full-scale induction anticipated soon after user trials. Armenia’s 2022 purchase of Akash systems for ?6,000 crore highlights its export potential, with interest from nations like Brazil, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
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