The missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking enemy aircraft

Akash Prime, a new version of the Akash Surface to Air Missile, was successfully flight tested by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Monday.

In its maiden flight test after improvements, the missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking enemy aircraft.

The test was carried out from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.

In comparison to the existing Akash System, Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy, the Ministry of Defence said.

Other improvements also ensure more reliable performance under low temperature environment at higher altitudes.

A modified ground system of the existing Akash system was used for the flight test, the defence ministry said.

The range stations of ITR comprising Radars, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry stations monitored the missile trajectory and flight parameters.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the successful flight test proved the competence of DRDO in design and development of world class Missile Systems.

He congratulated DRDO, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) and industry for the successful trials of Akash Prime Missile.

Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO G Satheesh Reddy said that the Akash Prime system will further boost the confidence of the users, Indian Army and Indian Air Force, as the Akash system is already inducted and is now getting improved with more lethal missiles.