Akash-NG (New Generation)
Type: Long-Range Air Defense System
Domain: land
Country of Origin: India
Manufacturer: DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation)
Overview
Next-generation variant of India's indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system, featuring significant performance improvements over the original Akash and Akash-1S. Akash-NG (New Generation) features a more compact missile design with improved solid-fuel rocket motor and aerodynamics, extending range to 70+ km (compared to 25 km for Akash-1), reduced weight enabling higher missile loadout per launcher, active radar seeker replacing the original command guidance for true fire-and-forget capability and resistance to jamming, and improved warhead with proximity fuse. The system can engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs with high probability of kill. Reaction time under 10 seconds. Each battery includes a multifunction phased-array radar (3D CAR), command and control centre, and multiple launchers. The Akash-NG provides area air defence for the Indian Army and Air Force, protecting forward areas, air bases, and vital installations. Successfully tested against multiple target types. Orders placed for multiple squadrons to supplement and eventually replace the original Akash.
Technical Specifications
| radar | 3D CAR multifunction phased array |
|---|---|
| range | ~30 km |
| speed | Mach 3.5+ |
| targets | Aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs |
| altitude | ~18 km |
| guidance | Active radar seeker (fire-and-forget) + datalink |
Operators
- India
Related land Weapon Systems
- K808 White Tiger - Armored Fighting Vehicle (South Korea)
- Al-Khalid I / II MBT - Main Battle Tank (Pakistan)
- KF51 Panther - Main Battle Tank (Germany)
- Strela-10 (9K35) SHORAD - Short-Range Air Defense System (Russia)
- BMP-1 - Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Russia)
- Piranha V (8x8) - Armored Fighting Vehicle (Denmark)
- Type 90 - Main Battle Tank (Japan)
- Iskander-M (9K720) - Short-Range Ballistic Missile (Russia)
- PPK-20 - Pistol / Handgun (Russia)
- Sinai 200 Armored Fighting Vehicle - Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Egypt)