Akash Prime successfully tested in Ladakh by Indian Army

To further strengthen the air defence system, the Indian Army has carried out successful trials of the indigenously developed Air Defence System “Akash Prime” in Ladakh.

A senior official confirmed that the Army Air Defence Corps conducted the trials in collaboration with senior scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which developed the missile system. The two-day trial was conducted at an altitude of over 15,000 feet in eastern Ladakh.

The Akash Prime scored two direct hits on fast-moving aerial targets in the rarified high-altitude atmosphere.

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The latest version of the Akash system would form the third and fourth regiments of the Akash air Defence Systems in the Indian Army.

Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash system, equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for enhanced precision irrespective of weather and terrain.

It was initially used during Operation Sindoor to counter aerial threats from Pakistan, and the results were good, said the official.

The Akash air defence system is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile platform designed to protect mobile, semi-mobile and static military installations from a range of aerial threats. It can be deployed at heights up to 4,500 metres and can take down targets at a distance of around 25-30 k.m..