Akash Prime Missile System

Source: PIB

Context: India successfully conducted a high-altitude trial of the Akash Prime missile system in Ladakh, marking a major milestone in indigenous air defence capabilities.

About Akash Prime Missile System:

• What is Akash Prime? Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) developed by DRDO. It is specially designed to perform in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments, enhancing India’s air defence in mountainous terrains.

• Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) developed by DRDO. It is specially designed to perform in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments, enhancing India’s air defence in mountainous terrains.

• Developed by:

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) In partnership with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited.

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

• In partnership with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited.

• Objective: To neutralize aerial threats such as drones, enemy aircraft, and cruise missiles at high altitudes, particularly along India’s sensitive border areas like Ladakh and Sikkim.

• Key Features:

• Altitude Capability: Proven performance at 15,000 ft during trials in Ladakh. Seeker Technology: Indigenous active radar seeker ensures precise target lock. Mobility: Mounted on mobile platforms for quick, terrain-flexible deployment. Guidance: Hybrid system with command guidance + terminal active homing. Speed & Range: Travels at Mach 2.5 with a maximum strike range of 30 km. All-Weather Performance: Functions reliably in extreme cold and low-density air. Kill Probability: 88% (single missile); up to 98.5% in dual-salvo mode.

• Altitude Capability: Proven performance at 15,000 ft during trials in Ladakh.

• Seeker Technology: Indigenous active radar seeker ensures precise target lock.

• Mobility: Mounted on mobile platforms for quick, terrain-flexible deployment.

• Guidance: Hybrid system with command guidance + terminal active homing.

• Speed & Range: Travels at Mach 2.5 with a maximum strike range of 30 km.

• All-Weather Performance: Functions reliably in extreme cold and low-density air.

• Kill Probability: 88% (single missile); up to 98.5% in dual-salvo mode.

• Significance in Indian Defence:

• High-Altitude Operations: Tailored for India’s mountainous border zones (e.g., LAC). Boosts Self-Reliance: Entirely indigenous system under Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission. Cost-Effective Solution: Saves import costs and enhances local defence production.

• High-Altitude Operations: Tailored for India’s mountainous border zones (e.g., LAC).

• Boosts Self-Reliance: Entirely indigenous system under Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.

• Cost-Effective Solution: Saves import costs and enhances local defence production.