Recent rumours suggesting that the manufacturing of India’s indigenous Akash Air Defence Missile System is coming to a halt are entirely inaccurate. Instead, the programme is transitioning into an exciting new era.
Driven by the development of highly capable upgraded versions, production is set to remain robust to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces and an expanding roster of international buyers.
While the manufacturing of the earlier baseline models is naturally slowing down as initial requirements are fulfilled, primary producers Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are aggressively gearing up for the next generation.
This strategic shift means assembly lines will stay active well past 2030. Rather than closing shop, the manufacturers are shifting their focus to modern missiles that boast extended ranges, sharper guidance, and better survivability against contemporary airborne threats.
Strong Domestic Order Book
Current orders guarantee steady work for BDL until at least the end of the decade.A massive driver of this sustained workload is domestic demand. The Ministry of Defence recently awarded an ₹8,161 crore contract for the third and fourth Akash regiments for the Indian Army.
Along with the Indian Air Force's ongoing requirements, this ensures that the serial manufacturing of missiles, radars, launchers, and command systems remains in full swing.
Export Success and Global Reach
International sales have also become a vital lifeline for the system's longevity.The Akash has emerged as a premier defence export for India, highlighted by Armenia’s purchase of the Akash-1S variant in a deal worth approximately $700 million.
Furthermore, several nations across South America, North Africa, and the Middle East are currently evaluating the system for their own militaries.
Thanks to these domestic and international avenues, BDL’s total order book stands at a staggering ₹26,180 crore as of mid-2026, securing years of uninterrupted manufacturing even before new export deals are finalized.
Technological Leaps: Advanced Akash and Akash-NG
The most notable change is the technological leap to newer missile families.Factories are now adapting their lines to build the "Advanced Akash" system. Older versions relied heavily on ground-based radar for the entire flight, but the Advanced variant features a locally designed Ku-band active radar seeker and a dual-pulse solid rocket motor.
This upgrade allows the missile to track agile and stealthy targets independently during its final approach. With the First-off Production Model (FOPM) cleared, mass production of this variant is imminent.
Additionally, the industry is preparing for the mass rollout of the Akash-NG (New Generation). This is not just a simple upgrade, but a complete redesign of the platform.
- Key Upgrades: It features a lighter airframe, a fully canisterised launch setup for easier transport and storage, and an active radio frequency seeker.
- Extended Reach: The Akash-NG pushes the defensive boundary up to 70 to 80 kilometres, a massive increase from the older generation's limits.
Massive Industrial Expansion
To handle this surge in advanced manufacturing, BDL is heavily expanding its industrial infrastructure.A standout development is the new state-of-the-art facility in Ibrahimpatnam, Telangana, which will house eight separate assembly lines specifically dedicated to next-generation surface-to-air missiles.
This ambitious investment will drastically boost overall output and speed up delivery schedules for both domestic and foreign clients.
Ultimately, for BEL and BDL, the Akash project is evolving, not concluding. As older models finish their production runs, the Advanced Akash and Akash-NG will take centre stage, guaranteeing that India’s flagship air defence system remains a formidable and actively produced asset for decades to come.
