A new generation of Akash surface-to-air missile was successfully flight-tested by the DRDO from an integrated test range off the Odisha coast in a boost to India’s air defence capabilities.
The defence ministry said the missile (Akash surface-to-air missile) was test-fired at around 12:45 pm from a land-based platform and that the “flawless performance” of its weapons system was confirmed by the complete flight data.
“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 Defence Ministry said in a statement.
DRDO has successfully flight tested the New Generation Akash Missile (Akash-NG) a Surface to Air Missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the coast of Odisha today 21st July 2021. The flawless performance of the entire weapon system has been confirmed by complete flight data. pic.twitter.com/LldOF8aqGT
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) July 21, 2021
This is the second test firing of the 30-kilometre strike-range air defence missile systems in last two days,” the DRDO said in a statement.
The flight trial was conducted from a land-based platform with all weapon system elements, such as the Multifunction Radar, Command, Control and Communication System and launcher participating in deployment configuration.
The missile defence system was developed by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.
DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy applauded the efforts of the team that was involved in the test-firing of the missile. In December last year, the government approved the export of the Akash missile system and set up a high-level committee to authorise sale of major platforms to various countries.
“In a major boost towards ‘Aatmamirbhar Bharat’ and strengthening of Indian Army, the DRDO successfully flight-tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man-Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on July 21,” the ministry said.
It said the missile was launched from a man-portable launcher integrated with a thermal site and the target was mimicking a tank.
“The missile hit the target in direct attack mode and destroyed it with precision. The test has validated the minimum range successfully. All the mission objectives were met,” the ministry said in a statement.
It said that the Akash surface-to-air missile has already been successfully flight-tested for the maximum range.
