How ‘Akash’ Foils Pak Attacks, Keeps Skies Clear: The Made In India Missile Defence System Explained

WHAT IS AKASH?

The Akash air defence missile system is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile system that provides area air defence against multiple air threats to mobile, semi-mobile and static vulnerable forces and areas, states the Bharat Electronics website.

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According to defence officials, both the Indian Army and Air Force have the missile system deployed along the Pakistan border.

Each Akash battery comprises four 3D passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radars and four self-propelled launchers with three missiles each, all of which are interconnected. It also has a battery-level radar known as Rajendra, as well as a battery control centre. It can track and attack multiple targets simultaneously. A self-destructive device is also integrated into the missile.

HOW IT WORKS

It can engage multiple targets and eliminate maneuvering threats, including uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), fighter jets, cruise missiles, and missiles launched from helicopters.

The system features advanced cross-country mobility.

Real-time multi-sensor data processing and threat evaluation allow it to simultaneously engage multiple targets from any direction. The system is flexible, scalable, and can operate in both group and autonomous modes.

HOW IT FOILS ATTACKS

The missile can destroy aircraft within a range of 30km to 35km and at altitudes up to 18,000m. It provides multidirectional and multi-target area defence and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 60kg.

With a nuclear warhead, the missile can destroy aircraft and warheads released from ballistic missiles. It operates effectively in all weather conditions.

HOW IT TRACKS TARGETS

• The air force version of the Rajendra radar is capable of tracking 64 targets within a range of 60km in range, azimuth and height.
• The army variation of the Akash uses the Rajendra radar, which can track 40 targets in range and azimuth with a tracking range of up to 100km.
• The 3D central acquisition radar (CAR) is a long-range surveillance radar that warns the GCC by tracking 200 targets in track while scan (TWS) mode from a tracking range of 150km. It measures the azimuth, range and height of targets, and transmits to the GCC via communication links.
• The GCC sends the target position information to the battery level radar (Rajendra).
• The Akash is powered by a Ramjet-rocket propulsion system, which renders thrust for the missile to intercept the target at supersonic speed without any retardation.
• Akash can fly at supersonic speeds ranging from Mach 2.8 to 3.5 and engage aerial targets up to a range of approximately 25km.
• The kill probability of the missile is 88% and can be increased to 98.5% by launching the second missile after five seconds of launching the first.

OTHER FEATURES

• High jamming immunity in severe ECM environment
• High missile maneuverability
• Automatic checkout, launch and abort facility for missile
• Open architecture of system enables wider operational network connectivity to any other digital networks
• Point to multi-point communication