Source: PIB
Context: India successfully conducted a high-altitude trial of the Akash Prime missile system in Ladakh, marking a major milestone in indigenous air defence capabilities.
About Akash Prime Missile System:
- What is Akash Prime?
- Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) developed by DRDO. It is specially designed to perform in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments, enhancing India’s air defence in mountainous terrains.
- Developed by:
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- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- In partnership with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited.
- Objective: To neutralize aerial threats such as drones, enemy aircraft, and cruise missiles at high altitudes, particularly along India’s sensitive border areas like Ladakh and Sikkim.
- Key Features:
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- Altitude Capability: Proven performance at 15,000 ft during trials in Ladakh.
- Seeker Technology: Indigenous active radar seeker ensures precise target lock.
- Mobility: Mounted on mobile platforms for quick, terrain-flexible deployment.
- Guidance: Hybrid system with command guidance + terminal active homing.
- Speed & Range: Travels at Mach 2.5 with a maximum strike range of 30 km.
- All-Weather Performance: Functions reliably in extreme cold and low-density air.
- Kill Probability: 88% (single missile); up to 98.5% in dual-salvo mode.
- Significance in Indian Defence:
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- High-Altitude Operations: Tailored for India’s mountainous border zones (e.g., LAC).
- Boosts Self-Reliance: Entirely indigenous system under Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
- Cost-Effective Solution: Saves import costs and enhances local defence production.
