Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:47, 27 April 2025

Revision as of 20:49, 27 April 2025

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The first test flight of Akash missile was conducted in 1990, with development flights up to March 1997.

The [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) has initiated the process to induct the [[Akash missile|Akash]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s developed as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The Multiple target handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in a C4I environment during the trials. Two Akash missiles intercepted two fast moving targets in simultaneous engagement mode in 2005 itself. The Akash System's 3-D central acquisition radar (3-D car) group mode performance was then fully established.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frontierindia.net/iaf-initiates-process-for-inducting-akash-and-trishul-sams/ |title=IAF initiates process for inducting Akash and Trishul SAM's |publisher=Frontierindia.net |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=2010-08-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325051818/http://frontierindia.net/iaf-initiates-process-for-inducting-akash-and-trishul-sams/ |archive-date=25 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports-3629 |title=Air Force Impressed With Akash Surface To Air Missiles Performance |publisher=India-defence.com |access-date=2010-08-31}}</ref>

In December 2007, [[Indianthe Air Force]]IAF completed user trials for the Akash missile system. The trials, which were spread over ten days, were successful, and the missile hit its target on all five occasions. Before the ten-day trial at Chandipur, the Akash system's ECCM Evaluation tests were carried out at Gwalior Air force base while mobility trials for the system vehicles were carried out at Pokhran. The IAF had evolved the user Trial Directive to verify the Akash's consistency in engaging targets. The following trials were conducted: Against low-flying near-range target, long-range high-altitude target, crossing and approaching target and ripple firing of two missiles from the same launcher against a low-altitude receding target.<ref>[http://www.drdo.com/bnews/jan08/akash_test.htm "DRDO report on Akash Air Defence Weapon System"]''[[DRDO]]''</ref>

Following this, the IAF declared that it would initiate the induction of 2 squadrons strength (each squadron with 2 batteries) of this missile system, to begin with. Once deliveries are complete, further orders would be placed to replace retiring SA-3 GOA (Pechora) SAM systems.<ref name="Sify News">{{cite web |url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14580887 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231181012/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14580887 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2007 |title=IAF to induct indigenous Akash missile |access-date=27 December 2007 |date=26 December 2007<!--, 00:17&nbsp;am-->|website=[[Sify News]]}}</ref><ref>Ajai Shukla (23 January 2008)[http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=1&autono=311447&tab=r "Missile mission meets target" ] ''[[Business Standard]]''</ref> In February 2010, the Indian Air Force ordered six more squadrons of the Akash system, taking orders to eight of the type. The Indian Army is also expected to order the Akash system.