- During the recent Exercise Astrashakti 2023, India showed the firepower of its Akash surface-to-air (SAM) weapon system, in which a single firing unit engaged and killed four unmanned targets at the same time.
- Armenia, Brazil, and Egypt have expressed interest in procuring the Akash SAM.
About
| Details | |
| Development and Production | Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), produced by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL). |
| Type | Short-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM). |
| Engagement Capacity | Engages four aerial targets at a range of 25 km from a single firing unit. |
| Target Engagement | Capable of simultaneously targeting several threats in group or autonomous modes. |
| Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) | Protected against hostile jamming and evasion methods. |
| Mobility and Agility | Configured for quick deployment and relocation on mobile platforms. |
| Operational Use | In service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). |
| Range and Altitude | Effective range of 4.5 km to 25 km, with an altitude range of 100 meters to 20 km. |
| Physical Dimensions | Length: 5,870 mm; Diameter: 350 mm; Weight: 710 kg. |
| Automation and Response | From target detection to neutralisation, the system is fully automated and responds quickly. |
| System Architecture | Adaptability to existing and future air defence environments is enabled via an open-system design. |
Comparison with Israel’s Iron Dome
- Interception Capabilities: Akash is sometimes likened to Israel’s Iron Dome due to its capacity to intercept UAVs, smaller munitions, helicopters, and aeroplanes.
- While comparable to the Iron Dome, Akash is intended to defend against larger aerial threats such as aircraft rather than tiny rockets.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/explained-why-homegrown-akash-missile-system-is-seen-as-indias-iron-dome-4785731