News: India has achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying two Aerial High Speed Unmanned targets at high-altitude in Ladakh by Akash Prime.
About Akash Prime
- It is the latest edition of the surface-to-air missile defence system.
- Developed by: It is developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
- It is the fourth version of the Akash Missiles Defence System.
- The first three were Akash Mk-1, Akash-1S, and Akash NG.
- Key features of Akash Prime
- It is installed with an indigenously developed active radio frequency seeker, which improves the precision against agile targets like cruise missiles, fighter jets or drones.
- It is specifically optimised for high altitude and low temperature territories like the India-Tibet border.
- It is incorporated with enhanced thermal shielding.
- Range: It can engage targets at an altitude of 18 km at a distance of 30 km away.
Comparisons between Akash NG and Akash Prime
- Akash NG has a range of 70-80 km compared to the 27-30 km range of the Akash Prime.
- It is sleeker and lighter and utilises a more advanced dual-pulse solid rocket motor, replacing the older ramjet engine for improved performance.
- It is mobile, and its smaller ground system footprint makes it easier to deploy and transport.
- Akash NG is the future with longer range and smarter tech.
- Akash Prime, on the other hand, is designed for specific terrain with lower temperatures and higher altitudes, smarter tech, reliable and rugged.
About Akash Missile Defence System
- It is a medium range, surface-to-air missile system which provides area air defence against multifarious air threats to mobile, semi mobile and static vulnerable forces and areas.
- It consists of a single battery with radar and four launchers.
- Each has three missiles with 60kg high explosive, 64 targets and can attack up to 12 of them.
- The system provides coverage up to 2,000 square km.
