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- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test fired the Akash-MK-1S surface to air defence missile system. This is a new version of the missile fitted with an indigenous seeker.
- The Akash missile is a medium range Surface-to-air missile with multi-target engagement capability. It has the capability to neutralise aerial targets such as fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles as well as ballistic missiles.
- It has a range of around 25 km and up to the altitude of 18,000m. The missile uses high-energy solid propellant for the booster and ramjet-rocket propulsion for the sustainer phase. The missile is system is highly mobile.
- The missile was developed as part of the Integrated Guided-Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). The IGDMP was conceived by Dr. APJ. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. The other missiles developed under this programme include Agni, Akash, Trishul and Prithvi.
- The Akash missile system was formally inducted into the IAF and in the Army in 2015. Several variants of the missile — Akash MK1, Akash-MK2 — with improved accuracy and higher ranges are under development by the DRDO.
- The missile system has been under controversies after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in 2017 stated that 30% of the missiles failed when tested.