Akash Prime successfully tested: Air defence trial held at 15,000 ft in Ladakh; why it matters
NEW DELHI:
Indian army
on Wednesday successfully tested the Akash Prime air defence system at over 15,000 feet in the Ladakh sector, officials confirmed. The tests were carried out in the presence of officials from the Army Air Defence and
Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO).
During the trials, the surface-to-air missiles scored two direct hits on fast-moving target aircraft in a high-altitude zone with thin air.
Akash Prime is the third and fourth regiment of the Akash air defence systems in the Indian army, which also performed greatly during Operation Sindoor, thwarting attacks by Pakistan's chinaese aircraft and Turkish drones.
Since its development in 2009, the Akash missile system has been continuously upgraded to meet different operational needs. Variants include the original Akash Mark-I, the Akash-1S with an indigenous seeker, the Akash Prime designed for high-altitude and low-temperature conditions, and the Akash-NG, which offers a longer range and more advanced features.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
PU offers 1-year PG diplomas for agamic studies, rock art
Puducherry: Pondicherry University (PU) has established two research centres offering one-year postgraduate diploma courses in agamic studies and rock art. The Centre for Agamic Studies and Indian Knowledge Systems aims to study the dynamic role of temples in medieval Indian society. The centre would also study the role of agamic texts in the growth and expansion of the professional arts and crafts among the lower sections of society. A statement from the university said that agamic texts help unravel their role as contributors to sustainable development in medieval times, which can provide lessons in implementation of sustainable development goals in contemporary times. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The Centre for Rock Art and Cognitive Studies, a field-based course, will be a tribute to the temple culture of South India, which is vibrant and thriving, said the statement. The centre will focus on the evolution of cognitive capabilities of the human species and their manifestation in the form of paintings and engravings, it added. Both centres are part of the university's department of history. Pondicherry University vice-chancellor P Prakash Babu said the courses offer exciting avenues for the young generation to explore the fascinating world of agamic temple culture, encompassing the entire gamut of contemporary society. "The programme will equip the students with the necessary skills to get employed in eco-tourism, adventure tourism, as well as making them qualified site managers of the rock art locations," said the statement.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
ETBWS 2025: CMOs decode AI's role in marketing transformation
Marketing is undergoing a seismic transformation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how brands connect with customers, predict behaviours, and deliver personalised experiences at scale. From content generation to predictive modelling , today's CMOs are using AI to accelerate decision-making, enhance customer journeys, and unlock real-time growth opportunities. At the 7th edition of the Brand World Summit, organised by ETBrandEquity, a panel of leading CMOs explored how AI and data are revolutionising not just marketing operations, but also customer engagement . The panel featured Ashish Mishra, CMO, Acko; Darshana Shah, CMO, Aditya Birla Capital; Sai Narayan, CMO, Policybazaar; and Krishna Kota, head of marketing – consumer business, DBS Bank India. While AI currently acts as an enabler, it is expected to become a key growth driver. Mishra noted that most current applications focus on AI's predictive capabilities, including customer segmentation and fraud detection. On generative AI , he said: 'It's easy to get carried away by the scale at which content can be generated. Internally, we are still vetting its use. I believe predictive and generative AI will eventually work in tandem, but for now, our emphasis is on predictive applications.' Shah said, 'When the omnichannel ecosystem first emerged, AI-powered bots gained traction. These systems, fuelled by vast datasets, enabled voice conversations, journey mapping, and drop-off detection. With martech platforms now leveraging data for highly personalised interactions, AI has shifted from being an enabler to a true growth driver in many areas of our business.' She added, 'There are challenges around built-in biases. For example, when prompting tools like Gemini to generate an image of an Indian woman of a certain age, the results often default to cultural stereotypes – a bindi , sindoor , or brown skin – irrespective of context. Even in categories like health wear or activewear, such biases persist. We are actively retraining these models to mitigate these stereotypes.' Narayan said, 'Although insurance is largely digital, customers still require human support when selecting a policy. Traditionally, queries that came in after business hours were only addressed the following morning, which led to lower conversion rates.' To address this, Policybazaar introduced Finova AI for its life insurance division, an AI-powered bot that replaces human agents outside working hours. 'Finova AI understands Indic languages and responds contextually, facilitating seamless, engaging conversations. These interactions not only extend engagement but also enhance the quality of next-day human follow-ups, resulting in higher conversions.' Kota said, 'If your data is well-organised, AI capabilities can truly scale. For DBS Bank, this journey began with the basics. In 2017, we built ADA (Analytics Data Architecture), our central data lake, which now powers all AI-led initiatives.' DBS handles extensive behavioural and transactional data. 'In Singapore alone, we track over 10,000 signals per customer, from spending patterns to salary flows.' To use this data ethically and effectively, DBS developed NBN (Next Best Nudge), an AI-driven framework that delivers timely, personalised suggestions influencing customer decisions. 'We have also created NBC, or Next Best Conversation, enabling our relationship managers to engage customers with data-driven insights. Whether through nudges or conversations, intelligent engagement represents the future of banking, and AI sits at its core.'
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
Agni, Prithvi, Akash: India Readies For Strike Before Enemies Blink, Flexes Deterrent Muscle In Larger Doctrine Shift
India recently sent a strong message to its adversaries. In just 24 hours, the country tested three major missile systems, sparking alarm across rival nations like Pakistan and China, especially after witnessing India's might during Operation Sindoor. The tests weren't just routine drills — they were strategic, timed, and loaded with purpose. So, why is India suddenly conducting these high-profile missile trials? What message lies behind this missile blitz? And why might even global powers like the U.S. and Russia have reason to take notice? In today's DNA, DNA, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor, of Zee News, analysed how India is flexing its deterrent muscle on the regional chessboard. Three Missiles, One Message: India Is Ready The names themselves — Agni (fire), Prithvi (earth), Akash (sky) — reflect the ancient Indian philosophy of using elemental force in warfare. These missiles are not only the backbone of India's defense but are now more battle-ready than ever. Just yesterday, India tested the Akash air defense system. Soon after, under the Strategic Forces Command, it launched Agni-1 and Prithvi-2 missiles — both capable of delivering nuclear warheads. This wasn't merely a technical check. These were combat-readiness drills, simulating real wartime missile launches, including secure communication of nuclear strike orders. #DNAWithRahulSinha | पृथ्वी, अग्नि, आकाश..दुश्मन का सर्वनाश! 24 घंटे से भारत..लगातार मिसाइल परीक्षण क्यों कर रहा?#DNA #IndianArmy #Defence #Missile #Agni1 @RahulSinhaTV — Zee News (@ZeeNews) July 18, 2025 Missile Details: What Was Tested and Why It Matters Prithvi-2 Tactical Nuclear Missile * Range: 350 km * Payload: 500–1000 kg (conventional or 15-kiloton nuclear warhead) * Tactical Use: Can strike enemy army bases near borders like Lahore, Bahawalpur, or Tibetan airbases * Flight Path: Low trajectory — evades enemy radar Agni-1 Intermediate-Range Strategic Missile * Range: 700–900 km * Payload: Up to 1000 kg conventional or 100 kiloton nuclear warhead * Speed: Reenters Earth's atmosphere at Mach 7 (7x speed of sound), making interception nearly impossible * Targets: Deep inside enemy territory — Islamabad (350 km) or Karachi (800 km) * Mobility: Road-mobile launchers — highly mobile, hard to detect, fast to deploy These back-to-back launches highlight India's second-strike capability — even if attacked first, India can retaliate without delay. Hidden Message Behind the Tests * India's nuclear deterrent is fully operational and tested for real-world conditions. * Missiles are dual-capable: conventional and nuclear payloads * Rapid successive launches show India's capacity to respond with force before enemy countermeasures India's Ultimate Weapon: Hypersonic Missile That Even the U.S. & Russia Can't Stop While Agni and Prithvi make headlines, there's another game-changing missile under development — part of DRDO's 'Project Vishnu': Extended-Trajectory Long-Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile * Speed: Mach 8–10 (11,000–12,000 km/h) * Range: 1500–2000 km * Payload: Up to 2000 kg (including nuclear warheads) * Engine: Scramjet — pulls oxygen from air, keeps missile light and fast * Can Be Launched From: Land, air, or sea * Stealth: Flies low, changes direction mid-flight, impossible to intercept * Tested Successfully: DRDO has completed a 1000-second trial * Undefendable: Neither U.S. THAAD nor Russia's S-500 can stop it * This makes it potentially more advanced than BrahMos, and three times faster. Once launched, enemy airbases, naval fleets, or command centers would have no escape. Why the World Is Watching India's message is clear: Its nuclear arsenal is secure, tested, and mobile. With Pakistan and China within striking distance — and even global powers taking notice — this 24-hour missile spree is more than routine. It's a demonstration of deterrence, dominance, and preparedness. And with hypersonic tech in the pipeline, India is not just keeping up — it's racing ahead.
