Flying well over 4,500 meters in the thin air of Ladakh, India's indigenously developed Akash Prime missile hit its mark with accuracy on Wednesday, destroying two aerial high speed unmanned targets in a trial that is a significant addition to the nation's air defence system.
The test did not merely prove the missile system's capability to operate under harsh altitude conditions but also indicated the increasing potency of India's indigenous defence technology.
The weapon system, which has been designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), also has significant technological advancements such as an indigenously designed radio frequency seeker for improved accuracy and response time.
These tests were conducted as a part of the first of production model (FoPM) firing trials and are an important milestone toward the timely induction of Akash Prime into operational service.
“Based on the operational feedbacks from users, various upgrades are made to improve the operational effectiveness, demonstrating the advantage of the ecosystem created for the indigenous weapon system,” defence ministry said in a statement.
It said the successful test boosts India's air defence capabilities in high-altitude border regions, a strategic objective in light of contemporary regional security trends.
The Akash Prime system was developed with the aid of defence public sector units like Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, as well as private industry collaborators. The weapon embodies inputs from previous operational deployments, reflecting the maturity of India's domestic weapons ecosystem.
This success also comes amidst the phenomenal success of Indian air defence systems in the operation Sindoor, further emphasizing India's increased self-reliance in missile technology and rising international interest in its defence exports.
Rajnath Singh, defence minister, praised the successful demonstration by the Indian Army, DRDO, and industry collaborators. "This is a great boost to India's air defence capabilities, especially in fulfilling high-altitude operational requirements," he added.
Dr Samir V Kamat, secretary, Department of Defence R&D and chairman of DRDO, also congratulated the teams. He stated that Akash Prime has been able to effectively meet the country's essential needs for a high-altitude air defence system.
The successful trial will increase India's focus on self-reliance in defence technology and add another milestone to its expanding capabilities in indigenous weapons development.
