Context: Indian Army has carried out successful trials of the indigenously developed Akash Prime Air Defence System at an altitude of over 15,000 feet in the Ladakh sector. The test was successful and the missile has met the country’s critical air defence requirements for high-altitude.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Akash Prime Air Defence System; Akash Missile Defence System.
Akash Missile Defence System
- Indigenously developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Medium-range Mobile Surface-to-Air missile (SAM) designed to neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.
- Operates on a command-guidance system with datalink for mid-course corrections and switches to active radar homing in the terminal phase.
- Propelled by an integrated ramjet-rocket engine allowing it to maintain supersonic speeds (Mach 1.8 to 2.5) throughout its flight.
- Range extends up to 25-45 km, with the ability to intercept targets at altitudes up to 20 km.
- The missile carries a 60 kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead, detonated by a digital proximity fuse for maximum impact.
- Supported by a sophisticated radar network. Real time multi-sensor data processing enables simultaneous engagement of multiple targets from any direction.
- Rajendra Phased Array Radar can track up to 64 targets and guide eight missiles simultaneously.
- 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR) provides long-range surveillance and target acquisition.
Akash has evolved over the years, with variants like Akash-1 (25 km range), Akash-NG (up to 30 km with improved guidance), and Akash Prime (up to 35 km).
Akash Prime Air Defence System
- The system can operate at heights up to 4500 metres and is capable of targeting objects at a range of around 25 to 30 kilometres.
- Compared to the existing Akash system, Akash Prime includes an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved target accuracy. The RF seeker enables the missiles to detect, track, and home in on targets with greater precision in extreme weather and terrain.
- The modification allows its reliable use in cold temperatures and high-altitude conditions.
Akash’s integration with advanced command-and-control systems like Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) enables real-time threat neutralisation. The upgraded variant (Akash Prime) will enhance the Air Defence potential in high-altitude frontiers and improve the operational effectiveness.