AKASH-INDIA'S INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM.

 Akash Surface to Air Missile (S.A.M.):-

Photo:-Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India.

            Traditionally, India is one of the highest importers of defence equipment in the world. But, to become independent, many projects were started. One step in this direction was the development of the Akash indigenous missile air defence system to replace the Russian 2K12 kub missile system. Development of Akash SAM started in the 1980s & flight tests were initiated near 1997 under D.R.D.O. & manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL), Bharat Electronics Ltd. (B.E.L.), Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division, and Larsen & Toubro.

            Akash Mk1 has a range of around 40 KM and a flight envelope of as low as 30 meters to 18 kilometers. It uses a solid booster rocket for assisting it to mach 2.5-3 speeds & further it continues its journey with the Ranjet engine. The system can neutralize targets like fighter jets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, etc. One battery of Akash SAM consists of 4 self-propelled launchers. Each one carries 3 missiles, a Rajendra 3D PESA radar that can trace up to 64 targets and engage 4 of them at a time, system also distinguishes between friend and foe. A battery control center (BCC) to engage targets and guide missiles accordingly. Two batteries make a Squadron (for Air force) & 4 batteries make a group (For Army). This system can be deployed in various single and group modes according to requirements. In group configuration, it can secure an area as large as 5000 sq.km. Akash battery can engage four targets simultaneously & the radar can guide eight missiles i.e. a maximum of two missiles per target. A single missile has a kill probability of 88% while two missiles have 98.5%. The time gap between the firing of successive missile is 5 seconds.

            The Indian Air Force has eight operational Akash SAM squadrons & Seven more on order. The Indian Army has two operational and two ordered regiments. The Ministry of Defence in November last year signed a deal to but Akash system for both Army and Airforce saving valuable forex reserves to the tune of 5.3 Billion Dollars as it has 96% indigenous components. It also withdrew requests from all global tenders for air defence systems. More orders are expected looking at the requirements of the forces.

            Concluding, the Akash SAM system will provide the much-needed air defence to our assets and will surely make the enemies vulnerable in Indian Air Space. But Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in 2017 stated the Akash is not trustworthy and has a 30% failure rate which can be risky during operations. Since then, Akash has been successfully developed and tested with required corrections. I think our government should look into the constant delay and failure of tests of these projects. We are spending a hefty amount of money for almost 30 to 40 years. As a result, we must have fully deployed and superior technology to guard our borders.

I would really like to thank Pankaj Jangraj (my dear friend & a Defence aspirant)for helping me write this blog.

Signing off for the day. See you guys in the next blog.

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande.