In a landmark achievement for India's defence industry, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has successfully dispatched the first Akash Weapon System Battery for export to Armenia. This momentous occasion marks a significant step forward in India's growing defence export capabilities and its emergence as a key player in the global arms market.
The flagging-off ceremony, presided over by Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Secretary of Defence Production, celebrated the export to Armenia, a friendly foreign country and strategic partner for India in the defence sector. This export underscores India's increasing prowess in defence technology and its ability to cater to international defence requirements with indigenously developed, advanced weaponry.
The Akash Weapon System, a highly mobile and effective short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, is a testament to Indian engineering. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BEL in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the Akash system is renowned for its all-weather capability, high kill probability, and ability to engage multiple aerial threats simultaneously. These threats include fighter jets, drones, and missiles at ranges of up to 30 kilometers and altitudes reaching 18,000 meters.
This export is particularly significant as it is the first instance of the Akash system being supplied to a foreign nation. It demonstrates India's growing confidence in its ability to export sophisticated, homegrown defence technology to meet the security needs of its international allies.
BEL, a leading contributor to India's defence manufacturing sector, played a pivotal role in this export. The company supplied critical ground support equipment that enhances the Akash system's functionality and effectiveness. This equipment includes:
- Command, Control, Communication, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Systems: BEL's integrated C4I systems ensure seamless coordination between the various components of the Akash battery, enabling rapid decision-making and effective threat response.
- Surveillance Radars: These advanced radars provide real-time situational awareness and early warning, allowing the Akash system to detect, track, and engage multiple aerial threats with high precision.
- Missile Guidance Radars: Crucial for maintaining accuracy, the guidance radars ensure that Akash missiles remain locked onto their targets by continuously updating the missile's trajectory, even in challenging operational environments.
