Several nations in South America, the Middle East, and Africa have expressed keen interest in acquiring the indigenous Akash Missile system, according to information from defense sources provided to India Today. The Akash missile system has garnered substantial attention from countries in the Middle East, and South America, including Brazil, and African nations like Egypt, as well as other friendly nations.
This interest in the missile system is not limited to inquiries alone; it has already secured a notable export order from Armenia, with the commencement of supplies scheduled for the coming months. The recent Astrashakti exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) showcased the impressive capabilities of the Akash Missile system.
During the exercise, a single Akash missile system demonstrated its firepower by engaging four unmanned aerial targets simultaneously. The targets, approaching from the same direction in close formation, later split to launch simultaneous attacks from multiple directions, simulating a complex scenario.
The Akash firing unit, equipped with a Firing Level Radar (FLR), a Firing Control Center (FCC), and two Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) launchers, each armed with five missiles, efficiently detected, tracked, and engaged all four targets. The FLR updated the air scenario with the four targets to a higher echelon (IACCS), and the Akash firing unit assigned the launchers to neutralize the threat.
Executing this task seamlessly, the FCC commander issued firing commands, prompting the launchers to engage the targets based on the system's capability. Two Akash missiles were launched from two launchers, and the same launcher engaged the next two targets. All four missiles were successfully launched, guided by the FLR, and engaged their respective targets at maximum range, approximately 30 km, simultaneously.
This demonstration establishes India as the first country to showcase the capability of engaging four targets simultaneously at around 30 km ranges through command guidance, utilizing a single firing unit. The Akash Weapon system, designed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by BEL/BDL and other industries, has been deployed by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army for over a decade.
