Amid India-Pakistan tensions, Akash missile passes its ‘agni-pariksha'

Time of India

13-05-2025

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With the four-day India-Pakistan conflict drawing to a close, one standout performer has captured national attention- Akash, India's homegrown missile defence system, which proved its battlefield strength when it mattered the most.It took 15 years, over a thousand scientists, and a unified effort by defence labs across the country to bring that bold dream to life. But on the night of May 8 and 9 , that dream soared with Akash successfully intercepting waves of incoming drones and missiles along the western border with Pakistan, proving itself in the crucible of real battle.'It was like watching my child take its first steps—only this child stopped enemy fire,' said Prahlada Ramarao , the man who once led the Akash project under the guidance of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam , India's beloved Missile Man. 'This is the happiest day of my life. It means more than my Padma Shri,' TOI quoted Ramarao as saying.From being handpicked by Kalam at the age of 35 to leading the ambitious programme in the 1990s, to finally witnessing Akash's 'agni-pariksha', Ramarao's journey mirrors the missile's own path- relentless, resilient, and deeply rooted in Indian innovation.Conceived in 1994 with a budget of Rs 300 crore, the Akash project faced numerous failures, but never faltered. 'We failed. A lot. But every failure was a step forward,' Ramarao said, recalling the painstaking development of the Rajendra radar, a critical component that enables Akash to track and engage multiple targets in real time from any direction.Today, Akash stands tall as a key pillar of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision- delivering unmatched performance at an unmatched cost. 'Nowhere in the world has a missile defence system been developed for just Rs 500 crore,' Ramarao told TOI. 'And yet, it can detect a missile 70 km away and destroy it at 30 km,' he added.Akash's battlefield debut was hailed by top military brass. IAF DGMO Air Marshal AK Bharti declared that India's defence systems, including Akash and S-400 Triumf , 'stood like a wall,' blocking enemy incursions and proving India's readiness.Originally inducted in 2009, Akash has evolved into a family of systems:The IAF currently operates 15 squadrons, while the Army commands four regiments, with more on the way.India's missile mastery has also found admirers abroad. In 2022, Armenia became the first foreign buyer, inking a Rs 6,000 crore deal for 15 Akash systems. The first batch was delivered last year, further boosting India's credentials as a global defence exporter.And while Akash may now guard skies around the world, for the man who helped bring it to life, it remains personal.