NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JULY 21
The DRDO successfully flight-tested the new-generation Akash surface-to-air missile system from an integrated test range off the Odisha coast on Wednesday.
In a major boost to #AtmaNirbharBharat and strengthening Indian Army, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) today 21st July 2021. pic.twitter.com/kLEqrsgoOR
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) July 21, 2021
The Defence Ministry said the missile was test-fired at around 12:45 pm from a land-based platform and that the ‘flawless performance’ of its weapons system was confirmed by the complete flight data.
The new variant of the Akash missile (Akash-NG) can strike targets at a distance of around 60 km and fly at a speed of up to Mach 2.5.
“The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the new generation Akash Missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the coast of Odisha on July 21,” the ministry said.
Our @DRDO_India successfully flight-tested New-Gen #AkashNG Missile, Surface-to-Air Msl fm ITR off Odisha coast today
Trial was conducted fm land-based platform with all Weapon Systems like Multifunction Radar, Command, Control & Comn & Launcher in deployment@AjaybhattBJP4UK pic.twitter.com/Mun9aIh92y
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) July 21, 2021
“The flight trial was conducted at around 12:45 PM from a land-based platform with all weapon system elements such as multifunction radar, command, control and communication system and launcher participating in the deployment configuration,” it added in a statement.
The Akash missile system has been developed by the DRDO’s laboratory in Hyderabad in collaboration with other wings of the premier defence research organisation.
In order to capture flight data, ITR deployed a number of monitoring mechanisms such as electro-optical tracking systems, radar and telemetry.
“The flawless performance of the entire weapon system has been confirmed by complete flight data captured by these systems. During the test, the missile demonstrated high manoeuvrability required for neutralising fast and agile aerial threats,” the ministry said.
“Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force,” it added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian Air Force and production agencies Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the successful test-firing of the missile.
DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy applauded the efforts of the team that was involved in the test-firing of the missile.
The missile will strengthen the Indian Air Force, he said.
Separately, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also successfully flight-tested an indigenously developed low weight man-portable anti-tank guided missile, paving the way for its production for the Army.
The missile is being developed to strengthen the combat capabilities of the Indian Army.
