NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday successfully completed user evaluation trials of the next-generation Akash missile system (Akash-NG), marking a major milestone towards its induction into the Indian Armed Forces, officials said.
According to DRDO, the Akash-NG system demonstrated high precision and reliability against a wide range of aerial threats during the trials, including high-speed, low-altitude targets and long-range, high-altitude targets.
“User evaluation trials of Akash-NG missile successfully completed today, meeting all PSQR requirements,” DRDO said in a post on X.
During the evaluation, the missile system successfully intercepted aerial targets at varying ranges and altitudes, including near-boundary, low-altitude scenarios as well as long-range, high-altitude engagements, showcasing its operational versatility.
The DRDO said Akash-NG is equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker and powered by a solid rocket motor, making it a highly effective air defence weapon capable of countering multiple aerial threats.
The Ministry of Defence also confirmed the successful trials, stating, “DRDO has successfully completed User Evaluation Trials of the Next-Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces.”
The ministry highlighted that the system incorporates fully indigenous technologies, including a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, advanced RF seeker, homegrown radars, and command-and-control (C2) systems, significantly enhancing India’s air defence capabilities.
The successful completion of these trials marks a major boost to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing and air defence preparedness, reinforcing the country’s self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
