Akash Air Defence System

Source: ANI

Context: Ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit, Brazil has expressed interest in purchasing India’s Akash Air Defence System, following its successful deployment in Operation Sindoor.

About Akash Air Defence System:

• What is It?

• Akash is a medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed to neutralize aerial threats in both defensive and offensive operations. It is designed to protect vulnerable points and areas from enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles.

• Akash is a medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed to neutralize aerial threats in both defensive and offensive operations.

• It is designed to protect vulnerable points and areas from enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles.

• Developed By: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the Make in India initiative.

• Objectives:

• Enhance India’s layered air defence by filling the gap between short and long-range interceptors. Intercept and destroy aerial threats like helicopters, fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs. Ensure rapid deployment for field and strategic protection, especially in sensitive zones. Enable autonomous and group target engagement during simultaneous aerial attacks. Offer export potential to boost India’s defence diplomacy and indigenous manufacturing.

• Enhance India’s layered air defence by filling the gap between short and long-range interceptors.

• Intercept and destroy aerial threats like helicopters, fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs.

• Ensure rapid deployment for field and strategic protection, especially in sensitive zones.

• Enable autonomous and group target engagement during simultaneous aerial attacks.

• Offer export potential to boost India’s defence diplomacy and indigenous manufacturing.

• Key Features:

• Range: 4.5 km to 25 km Altitude Coverage: 100 m to 20 km Speed: Supersonic (Mach 1.8 to 2.5) Guidance System: Command guidance with integrated radar Mobility: Mounted on road/rail mobile platforms Fire Control: Fully automatic operation with quick reaction capability Communication: Encrypted, secure links between combat elements Electronic Protection: In-built ECCM (Electronic Counter-Counter Measures) and high jamming immunity IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) enabled for operational safety

• Range: 4.5 km to 25 km

• Altitude Coverage: 100 m to 20 km

• Speed: Supersonic (Mach 1.8 to 2.5)

• Guidance System: Command guidance with integrated radar

• Mobility: Mounted on road/rail mobile platforms

• Fire Control: Fully automatic operation with quick reaction capability

• Communication: Encrypted, secure links between combat elements

• Electronic Protection: In-built ECCM (Electronic Counter-Counter Measures) and high jamming immunity IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) enabled for operational safety

• IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) enabled for operational safety

• Significance:

• Proven Operational Record: Successfully neutralized threats during Operation Sindoor, showcasing real-time efficacy. Strategic Export Potential: Brazil’s interest signals growing demand for Indian defence products in South America. Self-Reliance in Defence: Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and boosts India’s stature as a defence exporter. Versatile Platform: Suitable for battlefield, coastal, and critical infrastructure defence. Strengthens Global Partnerships: Facilitates joint R&D, training, and manufacturing partnerships with emerging economies.

• Proven Operational Record: Successfully neutralized threats during Operation Sindoor, showcasing real-time efficacy.

• Strategic Export Potential: Brazil’s interest signals growing demand for Indian defence products in South America.

• Self-Reliance in Defence: Aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and boosts India’s stature as a defence exporter.

• Versatile Platform: Suitable for battlefield, coastal, and critical infrastructure defence.

• Strengthens Global Partnerships: Facilitates joint R&D, training, and manufacturing partnerships with emerging economies.