India has successfully conducted a high-altitude firing trial of the Akash Prime air defence system in Ladakh, in the Himalayas, marking a key milestone in the ongoing induction of indigenously developed missile systems for the Indian Army.
According to officials, two aerial high-speed unmanned targets were engaged and destroyed on July 16 as part of the first production model firing trials. The Akash Prime is an upgraded version of the Akash Weapon System, tailored for deployment in high-altitude areas exceeding 4,500 metres.
The trials were jointly conducted by the Indian Army’s Army Air Defence units and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with the support of defence public sector undertakings Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, along with private industry partners. The system includes upgrades based on operational feedback, including the integration of a domestically developed radio frequency (RF) seeker.
Defence ministry sources said the success of the trial is expected to facilitate the timely induction of the Akash Prime system into active service and bolster the Indian Army’s air defence capabilities along high-altitude frontiers. The test follows the operational deployment and performance of India’s indigenous missile systems during Operation Sindoor, where similar systems were reported to have been used in active air defence roles.
The Ladakh trial further underscores the focus on refining India’s missile platforms through iterative design improvements and operational feedback.
The Akash Prime is part of a broader effort to enhance short-range surface-to-air missile capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign-origin systems. It draws on a network of Indian defence agencies, state-run firms, and private manufacturers contributing to the country’s evolving air defence architecture.
The Defence Minister congratulated the Indian Army, DRDO, and associated industry partners for the successful trial, calling it a step forward in meeting high-altitude operational requirements. DRDO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, said the test demonstrated the system’s ability to meet critical air defence needs in challenging terrains.
The Akash programme, first inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2007 and the Army in 2015, has seen successive improvements to suit evolving battlefield requirements. Akash Prime builds on this legacy by adapting to the specific needs of mountain warfare and high-altitude engagements.
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