Akash For The Army
by James Dunnigan
July 3, 2010

The Indian Army has ordered twelve batteries of Akash anti-aircraft missiles. Each Akash battery has three launcher vehicles, a radar vehicle and several support vehicles. Each launcher is self propelled, carrying four missiles, and costs $2.2 million. Each search radar, which can support several batteries, costs $8.7 million. Each battery has a Weapon Guidance radar, which costs $10.9 million each. Each 701 kg/1,543 pound Akash missile has a 60 kg/132 pound warhead, a range of 27 kilometers and can kit targets as high as 15,800 meters/49,000 feet, or as low as 20 meters.

Akash is modeled on the older, but successful, Russian SA-6 system, and is meant to replace some very old Russian air defense systems India is still using. India wants to build a version of Akash for use on ships, and is already looking into a longer range (60 kilometers) version.

Akash is the most expensive high tech system ever developed, and put into service, by India's DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization). DRDO has a reputation for delays and poor work. India spent over $250 million developing Akash, a project that began in the early 1980s. Akash had a very troubled development, and there is some doubt about how effective it will be in combat. Time will tell.

Akash For The Army by James DunniganJuly 3, 2010

Akash For The Army
by James Dunnigan
July 3, 2010