Akash (missile)
DRDO / BDL · Surface-to-Air · India · Modern (1992–2009)
Akash is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Army and the Air Force variants of the missile system are produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Surveillance and fire control radar, Tactical Command and Control Center and missile launcher are developed by BEL, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro. The Akash missile system can target aircraft up to 45 km (28 mi) away. It has the capability to neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles. It is in operational service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
Specifications
- Category
- Missiles
- Sub-Category
- SAM
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Modern (1992–2009)
- Country
- India
- Manufacturer
- DRDO / BDL
- Operator
- India
- Primary Role
- Surface-to-Air
- Status
- In Service
- Service Entry
- 2009
- Produced
- 500
- Unit Cost (2026$)
- $600K
- Propulsion
- Ramjet
- Engine
- Ramjet + solid-fuel booster
- Thrust / Power
- None (ramjet)
- Launch
- Ground-launched
- Length (ft)
- 19.7
- Wingspan (ft)
- 4.3
- Empty Weight (lb)
- 785
- MTOW (lb)
- 1565
- Payload (lb)
- 132
- Endurance (hr)
- 0.01
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 60000
- Range (mi)
- 25
- Max Speed (mph)
- 1918
- Max Speed (Mach)
- 2.5
- Armament
- Blast-fragmentation