Akash Missile System: Specifications, Features & Variants

• Context (ET): India used the Akash Missile System in Operation Sindoor.

About Akash Missile System

• Akash Missile was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2014 and the Indian Army in 2015.
• Developer and Manufacturer: Designed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Hyderabad, designed to intercept lower-tier threats.

Design, Configuration and Capabilities

• Type: Indigenous, Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system for protecting vital areas and points from aerial threats.
• Range 45 km, Mach 2.5 to 3.5 (up to 4,200 km/h) supersonic speed, mid-course command and terminal active radar guidance, 60 kg HE-fragmentation warhead.
• Mobility: Fully mobile system deployable via road, rail and air; suited for both static and mobile defence.
• Battery Composition: Each battery includes a Rajendra 3D PESA radar and four launchers, each with three missiles.
• Coverage Formations: Supports multiple deployment patterns like box, linear array and trapezoidal based on threat scenario.

Missile Specifications and System Features

• 5.8 m long, 350 mm diameter, 1,105 mm wingspan, with 60 kg high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead.
• Range of Operation: 4.5 km to 25 km and 360° coverage; used to neutralize drones and low-flying missiles; upgraded versions target up to 45 km.
• Altitude Range: Capable of engaging targets from 100 m up to 20 km.
• Guidance System: Command guidance throughout the missile’s flight.
• Propulsion: Integrated high-energy solid propellant and ramjet rocket engine for sustained high-speed performance
• Simultaneous Engagement: Tracks up to 64 targets and engages 12 simultaneously in group or autonomous mode.
• Target Types: Engages fighter aircrafts, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles and ballistic threats.
• ECCM Features: Built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures for high immunity against jamming (active and passive).
• Open System Architecture: Ensures adaptability to both existing and future air defence ecosystems.
• Deployment Modes: Operates in both autonomous and group modes depending on mission and threat environment.

Radar and Tracking Systems

• Fire Control Radar: Rajendra 3D Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar can track up to 64 aerial targets; provides tracking for range, azimuth and height.
• Surveillance Radar: 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR) tracks up to 200 targets at long ranges.
• System Integration: Seamless link between radar and missile for real-time target engagement.

Variants and Upgrades

• Akash-1S: Added indigenous seeker for enhanced terminal accuracy.
• Akash Prime: Improved active RF seeker and optimized for cold and high-altitude operations.
• Akash-NG (New Generation): Features faster reaction time, greater accuracy and superior resistance to saturation attacks.

How is Akash-NG different from the Akash?

• It has achieved a higher altitude ceiling of over 20 km, along with an extended range beyond 25 km.
• It has a two-pulse, solid rocket motor that replaces the old ramjet on the Akash missile.
• Its weight has been reduced to 350 kg from Akash’s 700kg.