The merger of the air force and army will greatly enhance local air defense capabilities

The new generation Akash-NG missile will soon be available for the Air Force and the Indian Army, as its development path has been cleared. The missile system is a modern and powerful air defense system capable of destroying 10 targets simultaneously. The missile defense system can target fighter jets, cruise missiles, drones, and UAVs up to 80 kilometers on land and 20 kilometers in the air. Its induction will significantly boost the country's air defense capabilities.

The Akash-NG weapon system was developed by the DRDO's Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, with the capability to engage high-performance targets and modern fighter jets with low radar cross-section (RCS). It has been manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), with around 96% indigenous technology, and the country's most important missile system, Akash-NG, has now been approved for export to other countries. While the range of Akash-NG is 40-50 kilometers, its range has been extended to over 80 kilometers using a solid rocket motor.

The Indian Army has successfully tested a new version of the Akash missile defense system, Akash Next Generation (Akash-NG), at the Chandipur Integrated Test Range in Odisha, which is a significant step towards strengthening indigenous air defense capabilities. According to the DRDO, Akash-NG accurately destroyed aerial targets at different ranges and altitudes. During the test, the Akash-NG missile successfully hit aerial targets at different ranges and altitudes with high accuracy, including low altitude, long range, and high altitude near the border.

Earlier, the Indian Army had successfully tested the indigenous air defense system "Akash Prime" in Ladakh on July 17. The system shot down two drones flying at an altitude of over 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) in eastern Ladakh. Akash Prime is a new and improved version of the Akash weapon system, designed for use in high-altitude and low-oxygen environments. Equipped with a indigenous radio frequency seeker and a solid rocket motor, Akash-NG is a state-of-the-art and robust system designed to provide effective air defense against various types of aerial threats.