India to test fired its indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile systems

The missile, with a strike range of 25 km and capability to carry warhead of 60 kg, was test fired from the launch complex-3 of the ITR, he said.

It is a medium-range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defence system developed by DRDO as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

Akash is powered by Ramjet-rocket propulsion system which renders thrust for the missile to intercept the target at supersonic speed without any retardation. It can fly at a supersonic speed ranging from Mach 2.8 to 3.5 and can engage aerial targets up to a range of approximately 25 km, the official said.

More than three decades after the project was initiated, the missile was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force and the Army last year.

Akash has the capability to neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles. The last trial from this base was conducted on January 28.