Photo: The Akash-NG missile being flight tested today from ITR off the Odisha coast.
New Delhi: India‘s defence research agency today successful flight-tested a new generation surface-to-air missile from the Akash family of locally-made air defence weapon systems, increasing the chances of its induction into the Indian armed forces soon.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Akash-NG missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the coast of Odisha. “The flight trial was conducted at around 12:45 p.m. from a land-based platform with all weapon system elements such as Multifunction Radar, Command, Control and Communication System and launcher participating in deployment configuration,” a DRDO statement said.
Developed by the Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories, the missile launch was witnessed by the representatives of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Photo: Akash NG missile being flight tested.
In order to capture flight data, the ITR deployed a number of range stations like, Electro Optical Tracking System, Radar, and Telemetry. “The flawless performance of the entire weapon system has been confirmed by complete flight data captured by these systems. During the test, the missile demonstrated high manoeuvrability required for neutralising fast and agile aerial threats,” the statement said.
“Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the IAF. Production agencies Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) also participated in the trials.”
India’s Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh has congratulated the DRDO, BDL, BEL, IAF and the Industry for the successful test. DRDO Chairman and Government of India‘s Department of Defence Research and Development Secretary Dr. G. Satheesh Ready applauded the efforts of the team and said the missile will strengthen the IAF.
