Watch what happens when Akash Prime missile system meets two high-speed targets in Ladakh

Time of India

17-07-2025

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)
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by Taboola
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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.
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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.
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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.