Army successfully tests Akash Prime air defence system at 15,000 ft in Ladakh
Akash Prime will be inducted as part of the Army's third and fourth Akash regiments. The system had earlier proved its operational success during Operation Sindoor, where it helped counter aerial threats from Pakistan's military using Chinese jets and Turkish drones.- Ends
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Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Watch: Army tests Akash Prime missile system in Ladakh; destroys 2 targets at 15,000 ft
NEW DELHI: The Army has successfully tested the Akash Prime air defence system at an altitude of over 15,000 feet in the Ladakh sector. The trial took place on July 16 and was carried out by the Army Air Defence in coordination with officials from the (DRDO), which developed the system. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to a post shared by the Ministry of Defence on X, the Akash Prime system destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets during the trial. "India has achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying 2 Aerial High Speed Unmanned targets at high altitude in Ladakh Sector on 16th July by Akash Prime, which is the upgraded variant of Akash Weapon System for the ," the ministry said. Akash Prime is expected to be used in the third and fourth regiments of the Akash air defence systems in the Army. The system was also used during Operation Sindoor, where it was involved in preventing aerial attacks by the Pakistan military, which included Chinese aircraft and Turkish drones, as per a report by the news agency ANI. Compared to the existing Akash system, Akash Prime includes an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved target accuracy. It also has changes that support reliable use in cold temperatures and high-altitude conditions. A modified ground system from the earlier Akash version has been used in the new system. The system can operate at heights up to 4,500 metres and is capable of targeting objects at a range of around 25 to 30 kilometres.
India Today
40 minutes ago
- India Today
Principal, HoD shamed, threatened Odisha student, claims FIR
2:52 The Indian Army successfully conducted high-altitude trials of the indigenously developed Akash Prime surface-to-air missile system in Ladakh. The upgraded air defense system demonstrated its capability by neutralising two unmanned aerial vehicles at an altitude of 15,000 feet in Ladakh.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Watch what happens when Akash Prime missile system meets two high-speed targets in Ladakh
India on 16 July carried out a successful test of the Akash Prime air defence system in the high-altitude Ladakh sector. The Defence Ministry confirmed that the missile intercepted and destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets at over 15,000 feet above sea level. In its statement, the ministry said, 'India, on July 16 achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying two aerial high speed unmanned targets at high-altitude in Ladakh by Akash Prime, the upgraded variant of Akash weapon system for the Indian Army.' — DefenceMinIndia (@DefenceMinIndia) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo The surface-to-air missile trial was conducted by the Army Air Defence in the presence of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials. The test also marked the first production model firing at such an extreme altitude. "The Akash Prime system demonstrated its operational readiness by scoring two direct hits against fast, manoeuvring target aircraft under difficult high-altitude conditions," said officials interviewed by ANI. Live Events Designed for altitude, built for precision Akash Prime is engineered for deployment above 4,500 metres. Its key upgrade is an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker. This allows it to beam out radio signals and home in on targets during the final phase of its flight. As confirmed in the Ministry's release, the system is designed to operate reliably in thin air and cold temperatures. The test was conducted with support from Bharat Dynamics Limited , Bharat Electronics Limited , and other Indian industry partners. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted a video of the test on X and called it a breakthrough. He stated, 'This is a significant boost to India's Air Defence capabilities, particularly for meeting high-altitude operational requirements.' Third and fourth Akash regiments to get the system Following the successful trial, Akash Prime will now be inducted into the third and fourth regiments of the Army's Akash missile units. The earlier versions, Akash Mark-I and Akash-1S, are already in service. Akash Prime was also deployed during Operation Sindoor earlier this year. It helped counter Pakistani air threats, including Turkish drones and Chinese-origin aircraft, as part of India's multi-layered air defence response. Also Read: Indian Army successfully tests Akash Prime air defence system at 15,000 ft in Ladakh, officials say Backbone of India's missile shield Akash is a mobile, short-range surface-to-air missile system with a strike range of 20 to 30 km. Each launcher holds three missiles, each about 20 feet long and weighing 710 kg. A single missile carries a 60 kg warhead and uses a ramjet propulsion system, giving it high speed and manoeuvrability. The missile operates in 'fire-and-forget' mode and features command guidance. It is fully automatic, processes real-time sensor data, evaluates threats, and responds quickly. The Akash system is also part of India's larger Integrated Air Command and Control System . This includes multiple layers: from counter-drone weapons and short-range SAMs to long-range systems like the S-400 and fighter jets. Lessons from Operation Sindoor Akash Prime's performance in Operation Sindoor drew attention from both military and strategic circles. The system was credited for successfully neutralising incoming threats that targeted Indian cities and defence sites. Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations, used a cricket analogy to describe the effectiveness of the system. Referring to Australia's legendary pace attack in the 1970s, he said, 'Ashes to Ashes. Dust to dust. If Lillee don't get you, Thommo must...' to explain how each layer of India's air defence acts in tandem. Sources told ANI that over 50 Pakistani drones were shot down during a large-scale counter-drone operation along the LoC and international borders. The Indian Armed Forces also neutralised attempts at large-scale drone and missile attacks on multiple military installations across northern and western India during the night of May 7-8. An Air Defence system in Lahore was reportedly neutralised in the process. Akash Prime is not the end of the road. The Akash-NG (Next Generation) version is currently under development, promising longer range and newer features. As of now, the Akash Prime's trial in Ladakh has not just validated technology. It has reinforced confidence within the Army and Air Force that India's defence systems can hold their own at the highest frontiers.
