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SOURCE: AFI

In a notable achievement for India’s defense industry, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has successfully dispatched the first Akash Weapon System Battery for export, marking a significant stride in the country’s defense export capabilities. Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Secretary of Defence Production, presided over the flagging-off ceremony, which celebrated the export to Armenia, a Friendly Foreign Country that has become a strategic partner for India’s defense sector. This landmark event signifies India’s increasing expertise in defense technology, as well as its ability to meet global defense needs with home-grown, advanced weaponry.

The Akash Weapon System is a highly effective, all-weather, mobile, short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BEL, in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Known for its reliability, mobility, and high kill probability, Akash can engage multiple aerial threats, including fighter jets, drones, and missiles, at ranges of up to 30 kilometers and at altitudes as high as 18,000 meters.

This export marks the first instance of the Akash system being provided to a foreign nation, demonstrating India’s growing confidence in exporting sophisticated, indigenously developed defense technology to meet the security requirements of its international allies.

BEL, a major contributor to India’s defense manufacturing sector, played a crucial role in the Akash Weapon System export. The company supplied essential Ground Support Equipment that enhances the functionality and effectiveness of the Akash system, including:

Command, Control, Communication, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Systems: BEL’s integrated C4I systems allow for seamless coordination between various components of the Akash battery, enabling rapid decision-making and effective threat response.

Surveillance Radars: These advanced radars provide real-time situational awareness and early warning, enabling the Akash system to detect, track, and engage multiple aerial threats with high precision.

Missile Guidance Radars: Critical for maintaining accuracy, the guidance radars ensure that the Akash missile stays on target by continuously updating the missile’s trajectory, even in complex operational environments.

The successful export of the Akash system aligns with India’s broader strategy to emerge as a global player in the defense export market. Over recent years, India’s defense exports have steadily increased, aided by the government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiatives, which encourage local manufacturing and self-sufficiency in defense production.