India’s indigenous air defence architecture has achieved a critical milestone with the successful validation of the Akash-NG (Next Generation) missile system.
Senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have confirmed that the system’s operational range has been extended to 50 km, significantly bolstering its ability to neutralise modern aerial threats.
Ankathi Raju, Chief of the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), stated that these advancements make the upgraded surface-to-air missile a formidable counter to agile, low-observable targets.
A key technological breakthrough driving this performance is the integration of a sophisticated dual-pulse solid rocket motor.
Unlike the older Akash variants which utilised ramjet propulsion, this new motor design delivers thrust in two distinct stages.
According to ARDE officials, this dual-pulse capability is crucial for managing energy throughout the missile's flight.
It ensures that the weapon retains high terminal velocity and manoeuvrability during the final ‘endgame’ phase, allowing it to effectively chase down and destroy low-radar cross-section (RCS) threats such as stealth fighters, cruise missiles, and high-speed drones that often evade traditional air defence systems.
The most significant outcome of recent upgrades is the validated extension of the missile’s reach.
Targeted modifications to the propulsion system have pushed the effective engagement range to 50 km.
This enhancement does more than simply add distance; it transforms the tactical utility of the Akash-NG within India’s layered air defence network.
By covering a larger protective envelope, the system can now integrate more seamlessly with other Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) batteries, providing a denser shield over critical assets and border areas.
These theoretical improvements were validated during rigorous user evaluation trials conducted in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
In a decisive demonstration of its combat readiness, the Akash-NG successfully intercepted and destroyed a high-speed Banshee pilotless target aircraft at the full 50 km range.
The Banshee, known for its ability to simulate difficult threats like skimming cruise missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), served as a rigorous benchmark.
The precise interception at maximum range confirmed the reliability of the missile’s indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker and its capacity to lock onto small, low-signature targets in realistic, clutter-filled environments.
With the successful completion of these user trials, the Akash-NG has cleared the final hurdles for induction into the Indian Armed Forces.
The system offers distinct logistical and operational advantages over its predecessors, including a canisterised launcher system that significantly reduces the ground footprint and manpower requirements.
The lighter launch vehicles ensure superior mobility in difficult terrain, while the advanced command guidance and active seeker allow the battery to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously, resisting electronic jamming and countermeasures.
For India’s defence planners, the Akash-NG is a strategic leap rather than a mere update.
It stands as a robust, homegrown solution to a rapidly evolving regional security landscape characterized by drone swarms and terrain-hugging aerial incursions.
As the missile moves towards mass production and deployment, it promises to fill a vital gap in the medium-range segment of the nation’s air defence shield, complementing long-range strategic systems and ensuring sovereign protection against saturation attacks.
The confirmation from ARDE signals the end of the development phase for the Akash-NG.
Having proven its lethality and extended range in battle-like conditions, the system is now poised for frontline duty.
In an era where air superiority is increasingly defined by the ability to counter stealth and massed aerial attacks, the timely arrival of this indigenous dual-pulse missile marks a pivotal moment for Indian defence technology.
