AKASH MISSILE PROGRAMME : TEST FIRING
Series of test fires to be done for Akash's induction into IAF
The surface-to-air and nuclear-capable Akash missile programme has been revived by carrying out fresh test firing at Interim Test Range (ITR) in Orissa, after the Indian Air Force expressed it’s dissatisfaction over the performance of the missile in previous test firings. Union Defence Minister A.K. Anotny had indicated that, “Representatives of the IAF had participated in the development trials of the Akash Missile System, conducted by DRDO, as observers and provided user’s inputs for improvement in the system performance. So far, no decision has been taken by the government for induction of Akash Missile system in the Army.” Akash, the multi-target missile with a strike range of 25 km and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead of 50 kg was test fired on December 13 and 14. According to Defence sources, the missile was tested from a mobile launcher at the Chandipur ITR, 230 km from Balasore, targeting a flying object released from Pilotless Target Aircraft 'Lakshya' a few minutes before. For the next 10 days, a series of such test firings would be carried out to pave the way for its induction into the IAF. This test was conducted to fine-tune the sophisticated missile, though it has undergone several trials as part of the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, sources said. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory at Hyderabad, the nodal agency that designed the missile, has also approved its “flight consistency”, they added.Akash missile's first test flight was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997 and its multiple target handling capability was demonstrated by live firing in C4I environment. As per information provided by Ministry of Defence to Parliament, Rs 492.41 crores has been funded for the Akash project so far. The IAF had initiated the process to induct the missile but later recommended performance improvement. According to sources, this probably led to the Government clearing a deal to procure ground-to-air missiles from Israel.
Dhrutikam Mohanty
The surface-to-air and nuclear-capable Akash missile programme has been revived by carrying out fresh test firing at Interim Test Range (ITR) in Orissa, after the Indian Air Force expressed it’s dissatisfaction over the performance of the missile in previous test firings. Union Defence Minister A.K. Anotny had indicated that, “Representatives of the IAF had participated in the development trials of the Akash Missile System, conducted by DRDO, as observers and provided user’s inputs for improvement in the system performance. So far, no decision has been taken by the government for induction of Akash Missile system in the Army.” Akash, the multi-target missile with a strike range of 25 km and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead of 50 kg was test fired on December 13 and 14. According to Defence sources, the missile was tested from a mobile launcher at the Chandipur ITR, 230 km from Balasore, targeting a flying object released from Pilotless Target Aircraft 'Lakshya' a few minutes before. For the next 10 days, a series of such test firings would be carried out to pave the way for its induction into the IAF. This test was conducted to fine-tune the sophisticated missile, though it has undergone several trials as part of the country’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, sources said. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory at Hyderabad, the nodal agency that designed the missile, has also approved its “flight consistency”, they added.Akash missile's first test flight was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997 and its multiple target handling capability was demonstrated by live firing in C4I environment. As per information provided by Ministry of Defence to Parliament, Rs 492.41 crores has been funded for the Akash project so far. The IAF had initiated the process to induct the missile but later recommended performance improvement. According to sources, this probably led to the Government clearing a deal to procure ground-to-air missiles from Israel.
Dhrutikam Mohanty
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