India tests new weapons system for China border

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army will soon begin inducting two regiments of the Akash Prime surface-to-air missiles designed for air defence in high-altitude areas along the frontier with China, with the force testing the new weapon system in Ladakh twice on Wednesday.

The Akash Prime missiles successfully destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets at an altitude of around 15,000 feet during the trials, which Union defence minister Rajnath Singh described as “a significant milestone and boost” for India’s air defence capabilities, especially for high-altitude operational requirements .

The existing Akash air defence systems with the Army and IAF were extensively used against the drones, loitering munitions and the like launched by Pakistan during the cross-border hostilities from May 7 to 10 under Operation Sindoor .

Both Akash and Akash Prime have the capability to intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters and drones at a 25-km range, but the latter is an upgraded customised version for areas above 4,500 metre in altitude, with modified ground systems and radars, as well as new radio frequency seekers.

“Various upgrades have been made in the Akash Prime system, designed by DRDO and produced by defence PSU Bharat Dynamics after operational feedback from the Army, to improve its operational effectiveness. Wednesday’s trials were conducted as part of the first production model firing to enable timely induction,” an official said.

Under a Rs 8,160-crore contract signed by ministry of defence (MoD) in Mar 2023, the Army Air Defence (AAD) is now raising two regiments of the Akash Prime system, which also has a reduced footprint with 360° engagement capability, to add to its two existing Akash regiments. The IAF, in turn, already has 15 Akash squadrons, ordered for Rs 10,900 crore, with more in the pipeline, as reported by TOI earlier.