Akash-NG: India today successfully test-fired Akash-NG surface-to-air missile air defense system off the Odisha coast. This is the second test firing of an air defense missile system with a range of 30 km in the last two days. Earlier on Wednesday, India successfully test-fired a new variant of Akash missile (Akash-NG) off the Odisha coast.
Official sources said the missile, equipped with all types of weapon systems like multi-role radar, command, control and communication systems and launchers, was test-fired from a ground platform. Hyderabad-based Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) has developed this missile system in collaboration with the laboratories of Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO).
Equipped with surface-to-air capability, the missile was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR). Sources said that during the test, the missile demonstrated its capability to hit high-speed and sensitive air targets. Sources said that on the basis of the data obtained from the flight of the missile during the test, all the weapon systems have been confirmed to work successfully, without any disturbances.
Once in service, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be very important for the Indian Air Force and will increase its capability manifold. On the other hand, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Air Force and its associated manufacturing agencies.