The Akash missile system is India’s indigenous mobile air defence missile, Build in BEL PSU it is helping india forces to tackle aerial threats with home-built precision. It was developed under the IGMDP to meet national security goals domestically. With vehicle mounted launcher and radar network Akash is stands between drones, jets, missiles of enemy. Akash is shielding Indian assets like Airbase to complex’s at borders and in high-altitude zones.
Journey of Akash Missile Development
The Akash surface-to-air missile system was initiated under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), a important DRDO initiative aimed at achieving strategic autonomy in guided missile technology. Development started around 1980s, involving about 300 public and private companies all over the India, by making use of within country ecosystem..
The first test of firing of Akash carried out in 1990. Subsequently, development flights continued till March 1997, Improvisation in a series of user trials that validated its capability in realistic scenarios . A milestone came in 2005 when two missiles simultaneously intercepted fast-moving targets, proving multi-target engagement capability.
User trials were successfully completed In December 2007, after that the induction into the Indian Air Force happened in May 2008 . The Indian Army followed same path, inducting the system in May 2015.
This was carried out under Prahlada Ramarao, a senior DRDO scientist mentored by the late missile pioneer Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, emerged as a key figure in spearheading development, earning acclaim as the “missile child” of India’s home-grown defence push..
Key Features and Importance of Akash
Akash stands as a critical missile of India’s multi-layered air defence System we call it as sudarshan chakra. Its strengths include mobility, rapid reaction, simultaneous multi-target engagement (up to four aerial threats per battery), and integration with advanced radars like the Rajendra phased array fire-control radar and 3D Central Acquisition Radar, by ensuring precision targeting and networked situational awareness.
The missile system is powered by a ramjet-rocket propulsion system, each missile sustains supersonic speeds (Mach 1.8–2.5), carrying a 55–60 kg high-explosive warhead with ranges upto 30 km. The design allows Akash to intercept multiple aerial threats such as fighter jets, drones, UCAVs, cruise and air-to-surface missiles at different ranges.
It fills a niche between short-range systems and longer-range platforms like S-400 or Barak-8, offering indigenously produced, rapidly deployable defensive cover—crucial for Indian security in conflict zones and turbulence along the LoC and LAC.
Akash Missile Role in Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor (early–mid 2025) marked a significant test of India’s integrated air defence. Akash played a decisive role in repelling waves of Pakistani drone and missile incursions along the western border and the Line of Control It was dubbed the backbone of India’s multi-layered air defence shield during the operation.
With high kill probability and real-time networked capabilities via the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), Akash engaged multiple aerial threats simultaneously, preventing breaches and safeguarding vital infrastructure.
In speeches, scientists and defence officials celebrated Akash’s reliability—for many developers, it was a deeply emotional moment when their “missile child” protected the.
Indigenization and Make in India Defence Push
From design to production, the Akash missile system was largely indigenized. DRDO led the research; manufacturing is handled by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), with participation from many private sector entities.
This has key benefits:
- Strategic autonomy: No dependency on foreign platforms ensures consistent supply and upgrades.
- Boost to indigenous industry: Over 300 public and private enterprises were involved in development and production, stimulating domestic capability.
- Export potential: India has already exported Akash systems—Armenia signed a deal in 2022 for 15 systems worth around ₹6,000 crore .Another potential agreement is under negotiation with the Philippines for a $200 million deal.
These advances reflect India’s growing self-reliance (“Aatmanirbhar Bharat”) in defence and global stature as an exporter of credible missile systems.
How Many Akash Missile Systems India Has
Let’s understand that many Akash systems India forces have in their inentory.
Indian Army Regiments
- As of May 2015, the Army inducted two Akash regiments, comprising approximately 2,000 missiles, replacing older SA-6 groups.
- By a recent update, the Army operates four Akash regiments, with plans to expand further.
- With induction of Akash Prime, upgrades for the 3rd and 4th regiments were authorized in mid-2025.
Estimates from defense analysis note that post-upgrade, the Army may have six operational regiments (4 existing + 2 Akash Prime).
Indian Air Force Squadrons
- The IAF inducted Akash squadrons starting in 2008. In February 2010, it ordered six more, bringing the total to eight squadrons.
- Other sources mention 15 squadrons inducted, deployed across key airbases like Gwalior, Jalpaiguri, Tezpur, Jorhat, and Pune airbases.
Akash-teer Integration System
Beyond missiles, the Indian Army is building ‘Akashteer’, an integrated air-defence network. As of September 2024, BEL delivered 100 Akashteer units; by November 2024, 107 units were delivered, and another 105 were planned by March 2025—with a total of 455 units expected by April 2027.
How many missiles in One Akash System :
The numbering typically breaks down as follows:
- Battery: One battery = 4 launchers × 3 missiles each = 12 ready-to-fire missiles Indian Defense Analysis.
- Squadron (IAF): Typically consists of 2 batteries.
- Regiment (Army): Consists of 4 batteries.
Thus, a full Army regiment could field ~48 missiles (4 batteries × 12 missiles). For two regiments, that totals ~96 missiles. The earlier 2,000-missile figure likely includes stocks and reloads across regiments, reflecting sustained operations and spares.
IAF squadrons—if counted as earlier eight squadrons of two batteries each—would comprise 8 × 2 × 12 = 192 missiles, plus reloads and expansion to 15 squadrons could significantly increase count .
Upgrades: Akash Prime and Akash-NG
- Akash Prime: Upgraded for high-altitude performance, especially crucial for LAC deployment. It features an indigenous active RF seeker, improved cold-weather capability, and enhanced accuracy. Trials in July 2025 in Ladakh at 15,000 ft proved its efficacy in extreme conditions—in one test it intercepted two high-speed unmanned targets.
- Akash-NG (Next Generation): A more advanced medium-range system developed post-Akash Prime, with dual-pulse rocket motor, longer range (70–80 km), ability to engage up to 10 targets simultaneously, and improved guidance via INS plus two-way datalink and ARH terminal guidance.
Conclusion
From its inception in the 1980s to its deployment today, the Akash missile system has evolved into a central pillar of India’s air-defence strategy:
- Start & Development: IGMDP origin, first tests in 1990, IAF/Army inductions in 2008/2015.
- Strategic Role & Importance: Local manufacturing, mobility, multi-target engagement, missile shield role.
- Operational Success: Pivotal performance in Operation Sindoor against drone and missile threats.
- Indigenisation Success: Boost to domestic industry, export readiness, fulfilment of Make-in-India goals.
- Numbers & Counting:
- Army: currently 4 regiments, expanding to possibly 6 with Akash Prime.
- IAF: around 8–15 squadrons across the country.
- Akashteer network: large-scale deployment underway.
- Upgrades:
- Akash Prime—high-altitude optimized.
- Akash-NG—longer range and multi-target sophistication.