Akash ( missile ) Akash ( Sanskrit : आकाश Ākāś " " Sky " " ) is a medium - range mobile surface - to - air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ) , Ordnance Factories Board and Bharat Electronics ( BEL ) in India . The missile system can target aircraft up to 30 km away , at altitudes up to 18 , 000 m . A nuclear warhead could potentially give the missile the capability to destroy both aircraft and warheads from ballistic missiles . It is in operational service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force . An Akash battery comprises four 3D phased array radars and four launchers with three missiles each , all of which are interlinked . Each battery can track up to 64 targets and attack up to 12 of them . The missile has a high - explosive , pre - fragmented warhead with a proximity fuse . The Akash system is fully mobile and capable of protecting a moving convoy of vehicles . The launch platform has been integrated with both wheeled and tracked vehicles . While the Akash system has primarily been designed as an air defence SAM , it also has been tested in a missile defense role . The system provides air defence missile coverage for an area of 2 , 000 km² . The Indian military ' s combined orders of the Akash , including radar systems ( WLR and Surveillance ) , have a total worth of $ 5 . 2 billion ( 23 , 300 crore ) . Development and history . The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990 , with development flights up to March 1997 . Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving targets in simultaneous engagement mode in 2005 . 3 - D Central Acquisition Radar ( 3D - CAR ) group mode performance is also fully established . The Akash Missile Development cost of 1 , 000crore ( $ 200 million ) , including the project sanction of 600 crore ( $ 120 million ) , is 8 - 10 times lower than the cost of similar system developments in other countries . Akash has certain unique characteristics like mobility , all - the - way - powered flight till target interception , multiple target handling , digitally - coded command guidance and fully automatic operation . ” . As reported on June 11 , 2010 , Akash Mk - II version has begun development and will be ready for a first flight in 24 months . The Akash Mk - II will be a longer - range , faster and more accurate SAM . The missile will have an intercept range of 30 – 35 km and increase in the accuracy of the missile ' s guidance system and the fire control system . Description . Missile . Akash is a surface - to - air missile with an intercept range of 30 km . It has a launch weight of 720 kg , a diameter of 35 cm and a length of 5 . 78 metres . Akash flies at supersonic speed , reaching around Mach 2 . 5 . It can reach an altitude of 18 km and can be fired from both tracked and wheeled platforms . An on - board guidance system coupled with an actuator system makes the missile maneuverable up to 15g loads and a tail chase capability for end game engagement . A digital proximity fuse is coupled with a 55 kg pre - fragmented warhead , while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence . A self - destruct device is also integrated . It is propelled by an Integrated Ramjet Rocket Engine . The use of a ramjet propulsion system enables sustained speeds without deceleration throughout its flight . The Missile has command guidance in its entire flight . The design of the missile is somewhat similar to that of the SA - 6 with four long tube ramjet inlet ducts mounted mid - body between wings . For pitch / yaw control four clipped triangular moving wings are mounted on the mid - body . For roll control four inline clipped delta fins with ailerons are mounted before the tail . However , the internal schema shows a different layout with an onboard digital computer , no Semi - active seeker , different propellant , different actuators and command guidance datalinks . The Akash carries an onboard radio - proximity fuse . System . Each Akash battery consists of four self - propelled Launchers ( 3 Akash SAMs each ) , a Battery Level Radar - the Rajendra , and a Command post ( Battery Control Centre ) . Two batteries are deployed as a Squadron ( Air Force ) , while up to four form an Akash Group ( Army configuration ) . In both configurations , an extra Group Control Centre ( GCC ) is added , which acts as the Command and Control HQ of the Squadron or Group . Based on a single mobile platform , GCC establishes links with Battery Control Centres and conducts air defense operations in coordination with air defense set up in a zone of operations . For early warning , the GCC relies on the Central Acquisition Radar . However , individual batteries can also be deployed with the cheaper , 2 - D BSR ( Battery Surveillance Radar ) with a range of over 100 km . Akash has an advanced automated functioning capability . The 3D CAR automatically starts tracking targets at a distance of around 150 km providing early warning to the system and operators . The target track information is transferred to GCC . GCC automatically classifies the target . BSR starts tracking targets around a range of 100 km . This data is transferred to GCC . The GCC performs multi - radar tracking and carries out track correlation and data fusion . Target position information is sent to the BLR which uses this information to acquire the targets . The BCC which can engage a target ( s ) from the selected list at the earliest point of time is assigned the target in real time by the GCC . The availability of missiles and the health of the missiles are also taken into consideration during this process . Fresh targets are assigned as and when intercepts with assigned targets are completed . A single shot kill probability of 88 % has been achieved by the system taking into consideration various parameters of the sensors , guidance command , missile capabilities and kill zone computations . There are a number of possibilities for deploying Akash weapon system in autonomous mode and in group mode for neutralizing the threat profiles with defined multi - target engagement scenarios . In the Group mode we can have number of configurations to defend vulnerable areas depending upon nature and expected threat pattern , characteristics of threat . Similarly , multiple batteries in autonomous mode can be deployed to defend vulnerable areas / points . In a Group formation , the four Batteries can be deployed in various geometric formations , as suited to the vulnerable area being protected and the extent desired to be sanitized from enemy air threat . In a box deployment pattern , an Akash group can defend an area of 62 km x 62 km . In a linear array configuration , it covers an area of 98 km x 44 km . Trapezoidal configuration gives defense to the largest area as compared to any other pattern of deployment covering an area of size 5000 square km . Each Akash battery can engage up to four targets simultaneously . Each battery has four launchers with three missiles each , with each Rajendra able to guide eight missiles in total , with a maximum of two missiles per target . Up to a maximum of four targets can be engaged simultaneously by a typical battery with a single Rajendra if one ( or two ) missile is allotted per target . A single Akash missile has an 88 % Probability of kill . Two missiles can be fired , five seconds apart , to raise the Probability of Kill to 98 . 5 % . Communications between the various vehicles are a combination of wireless and wired links . The entire system is designed to be set up quickly and to be highly mobile for high survivability . The Akash system can be deployed by rail , road or air . Radars . The missile is guided by a phased array fire control radar called ' Rajendra ' which is termed as Battery Level Radar ( BLR ) with a tracking range of about 60 km . The tracking and missile guidance radar configuration consists of a slewable phased array antenna of more than 4000 elements , spectrally pure TWT transmitter , two stage superhetrodyne correlation receiver for three channels , high speed digital signal processor , real time management computer and a powerful radar data processor . It can track 64 targets in range , azimuth and height and guide eight missiles simultaneously in ripple fire mode towards four targets . The radar has advanced ECCM features . The Rajendra derivative on a BMP - 2 chassis and to be used by the Indian Air Force is known as the Battery Level Radar - II whereas that for the Army , is based on a T - 72 chassis and is known as the Battery Level Radar - III . The Army version also consists of the Battery Surveillance Radar ( BSR ) . BSR is a track vehicle based , long range sensor , interfaced with the BCC . It can detect and track up to 40 targets in range and azimuth up to a range of 100 km . Long range target acquisition is performed by the 3D Central Acquisition Radar ( 3D CAR ) , which is a long range surveillance radar that can track up to 200 targets in Track while Scan mode ( detecting , tracking and processing ) in three dimensions at a range of 180 km . It provides azimuth , range and height coordinates of targets to the Group Control Centre ( GCC ) through secure communication links . The data is used to cue the weapon control radar . Platforms . The Army ' s radar and launchers are based on the T - 72 chassis built by the Ordnance Factories Board ' s Ordnance Factory Medak to accompany the Army ' s fast moving armoured formations . The Air Force versions use a combination of tracked and wheeled vehicle . The Air Force Akash launcher consists of a detachable trailer which is towed by an Ashok Leyland truck , and which can be positioned autonomously . Both the Army and Air Force launchers have three ready - to - fire Akash missiles each . The launchers can slew in both elevation and azimuth . The Army Self - Propelled Launcher ( ASPL ) is 360 degrees slewable and its arc in elevation is from 6 to 60 degrees . The Akash Air Force Launcher ( AAFL ) is 360 degree slewable , in elevation it can fire from 8 to 75 degrees in all directions depending on the mode of deployment . To enable the Akash group to perform self - sufficient in the combat zone , a number of supporting specialist vehicles have been designed and developed . They are mobile and field - worthy . Their design is based on the role and task to be performed and the vehicles are accordingly allocated to the Group HQ , the Batteries , Assembly Line Area and the Field maintenance workshop . Some of the vehicles are : the Missile Transportation Vehicle ( MTV ) , the Transportation and Loading Vehicle ( TLV ) , the Mobile Station for Missile Checkout ( MSMC ) Vehicle , the Air Compressor Vehicle ( ACV ) , the Power Supply vehicles ( GPSV , BPSV ) , the Engineering Support , Maintenance and Repair vehicles ( GEM , BEM ) and a few others . These specialist vehicles assemble and prepare missiles , deliver them to Batteries , carry maintenance spares and fuel , and provide logistical engineering support . Their allocation provides for flexibility and self - sufficiency to the whole Akash Group . Propulsion . The Akash , like the Russian 2K12 Kub ( SA - 6 Gainful ) , utilizes an integrated ramjet - rocket propulsion system , which provides thrust for the missile throughout most of its flight . Because this missile has an integrated ram - rocket , maneuverability is highest . The engine is ' on ' throughout the flight . The thrust is on till the missile intercepts the target . Most other surface - to - air missiles , including the U . S . Patriot and the Russian S - 300 series , use solid - fuel rocket propulsion . Status . Each missile is expected to have starting costs below US $ 500 , 000 , i . e . under 20 million , which is less than half the cost of similar Western missiles which usually cost between US $ 1 . 2 - 1 . 5 million ( 50 - 60 million ) each . It is expected that this cost will further decrease due to the economies of scale achieved as production ramps up . The Indian military ( IAF & IA ) have a combined order worth 23 , 300 crore ( $ 5 . 18 billion ) . On 24 May 2012 , India successfully test fired Akash missile to revalidate technology and operational efficacy . On 1 June 2012 , the Air Force version of the missile with a strike range of 25 km was successfully test fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur . Indian Air Force . In December 2007 , the Indian Air Force completed user trials for this missile . The trials , which were spread over ten days were declared successful after the missile hit the target on five occasions . Multiple targets handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in C4I environment . Before the ten day trial at Chandipur , ECCM Evaluation tests were carried out at Gwalior Air force base and mobility trials were carried out in Pokhran . The IAF had evolved the user Trial Directive to verify the Akash ' s consistency . The following trials were conducted : Against low flying near range target , long range high altitude target , crossing and approaching target and ripple firing of two missiles from the same launcher against a low altitude receding target . The Indian Air force was satisfied with the performance of Akash after extensive flight trials and has decided to induct the weapon system . An order for two squadrons were placed initially , with these being inducted in 2009 . The IAF found the missile performance to be satisfactory and was expected to place orders for 16 more launchers to form two more squadrons for India ' s northeast theater . In May 2008 , the Indian Air Force decided to induct two squadrons ( totalling 4 batteries ) of Akash missile . In March 2009 , Tata Power ' s Strategic Engineering Division ( Tata Power SED ) announced that it had secured the INR 1 . 82 Billion order for 16 Akash launchers to be delivered in the next 33 months . In January 2010 , it was revealed that the Indian Air Force had ordered for 6 more squadrons . Each squadron will consist of 125 missiles , bringing the order to 750 missiles for 6 squadrons . The first two squadrons will consist of 48 missiles each while future squadrons will vary in number depending on the IAF . The additional missiles were ordered from state - run defence behemoth Bharat Electronics , who will act as the system integrator , at a cost of 42 . 79 billion ( $ 925 million ) . In February 2010 , the Indian Air Force accepted the Akash missile system as a substantial part of its arsenal . The total Indian Air Force orders thus far consist of 8 squadrons making a total of 1 , 000 missiles . In April 2011 , IAF announced that 2 squadrons will be based near Pune and Gwalior . Akash Squadrons are also to be deployed in the North - East . On 3 March 2012 , the missile was officially inducted into Indian Air force at function at Hyderabad . IAF orders may also rise as it phases out its Pechora s and if the Indo - Israeli JV to develop a MRSAM ( Medium Range SAM ) for the IAF continues to be put on hold , while a similar program for the Indian Navy proceeds unimpeded . On June 6 , 2012 , IAF successfully test fired the Air Force version of Akash missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur . Indian Army . In June 2010 , the Defence Acquisition Council ( DAC ) placed an order of the Akash missile system , valued at 12 , 500 crore ( $ 2 . 8 billion ) . Bharat Dynamics ( BDL ) will be the system integrator and nodal production agency for the Akash Army variant . The Army plans to induct two regiments of the missile . A report in March 2011 indicates that the Indian Army has ordered 2 Akash regiments — approximately 2 , 000 missiles — worth 14 , 000 crore ( $ 3 . 1 billion ) . These will replace the Indian Army ' s 2 SA - 6 Groups ( 25 systems with 1 , 500 missiles ) , which were inducted between 1977 and 1979 . Other . It was also reported that Malaysia had shown interest in purchasing the Akash missile system .