• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested new generation Akash missile (Akash-NG), a surface-to-air missile, from Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the Odisha coast.

• In order to capture flight data, ITR deployed a number of monitoring mechanisms such as electro-optical tracking systems, radar and telemetry.

• The missile was test-fired from a land-based platform and the flawless performance of its weapons system was confirmed by the complete flight data.

• Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force.

• The missile system has been developed by Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories. Production agencies Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) also participated in the trials. 

Akash missile

• Akash is a surface-to-air missile system to protect vulnerable areas and vulnerable points from air attacks.

• Akash weapon system can simultaneously engage multiple targets in group mode or autonomous mode. 

• It has built in Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) features. 

• The entire weapon system has been configured on mobile platforms. 

• Akash weapon systems has been inducted and is operational with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.

• In December last year, the government approved the export of the Akash missile system and set up a high-level committee to authorise sale of major platforms to various countries. A committee comprising Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was set up to authorise exports of major indigenous platforms.

Test-firing of man-portable anti-tank guided missile

• The DRDO also successfully flight-tested an indigenously developed low weight man-portable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM).

• The missile is being developed to strengthen the combat capabilities of the Indian Army.

• The low weight, fire-and-forget missile was launched from a man-portable launcher integrated with a thermal site and the target was mimicking a tank.

• The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics.

• The missile hit the target in direct attack mode and destroyed it with precision. The test has validated the minimum range successfully. All the mission objectives were met.

• The missile has already been successfully flight-tested for the maximum range.

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