25 May 2012

News Story: Surface-to-air Akash missile test fired successfully

Akash surface-to-air missile (Wiki Info)

BALASORE, ODISHA (PTI): Boosting its air defence shield and re-validating operational efficacy, India Thursday test fired successfully its indigenously-developed surface-to-air 'Akash' missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, about 15 km from here.

"The user-specific trial, which formed part of the country's routine air defence exercises, was successful," said a Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) official associated with the Akash missile project.

To re-validate the technology and operational efficacy of the missile, defence forces conducted the trial with logistic support provided by the ITR, the official said. The Akash weapon system was inducted into the armed forces in 2008.

The missile, which has a strike range of 25 km with a warhead of 60 kgs, was test fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-III of the ITR at about 1108 hours, defence sources said.

Read the full story at Brahmand