Akash Missile System: The Indigenous Shield of India’s Air Defence
By Kashinath Damodar Devdhar, Senior Scientist, DRDO (Retd)
Pune, 3rd July 2025: In the recent May 2025 conflict with Pakistan, codenamed Operation Sindoor, India’s multi-layered air defence system showcased exceptional performance by neutralising almost all Pakistani aerial attacks mid-air. Central to this success was the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile, which played a crucial role and drew global attention for its precision and effectiveness.
A remarkable demonstration of its capability was seen when the Akash missile intercepted and destroyed Pakistan’s Fateh-1 missile aimed towards Delhi, averting a major disaster. Powered by an advanced computerized command system, Akash can simultaneously track multiple enemy targets and prioritize the most dangerous threats, enabling it to respond decisively against a range of aerial dangers including drones, missiles, aircraft, and helicopters. Its ability to reliably eliminate threats mid-air has cemented India’s confidence in countering any aerial aggression.
During Operation Sindoor, Akash’s pinpoint accuracy and reliability were proven beyond doubt. Together with the Russian-built S-400 air defence system, Barak-8, and India’s indigenous Akashtir air defence artillery, Akash forms an integral pillar of the nation’s multi-layered air defence shield. Its synergy with the indigenously developed Rajendra radar system has significantly increased demand for Akash in the global market, marking a major success for India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.
Key features of Akash include its 25–30 km range, supersonic speed of Mach 2.5, and the ability to track 64 targets simultaneously while engaging the 12 most threatening ones with precision. Its high mobility allows rapid relocation of entire convoys, adding to its tactical advantage. Importantly, the missile’s single-shot kill probability is 88%, rising to an impressive 98.5% with a second salvo.
The global interest in Akash is evidenced by a ₹6,000-crore export deal with Armenia and a potential $200 million agreement with the Philippines expected within 2025. Additionally, India’s Army and Air Force have placed joint orders worth ₹23,300 crore for Akash missiles, with two new regiments currently being raised.
The Akash missile was originally developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) led by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during the 1980s and 1990s. It was one of the first five missiles under the programme, designed by a team under Dr. Ramarao Prahlad as a medium-range surface-to-air missile. Over time, the initial versions of Akash have been retired and replaced by advanced, modern variants such as Akash-Prime and Akash-NG (New Generation), both of which have successfully completed trials and entered service, featuring significant technological upgrades and expanded capabilities over the original design.
