Article Posted on : - May 04, 2014

The Akash SAM being test fired. A DRDO photo

BALASORE, ODISHA (PTI): In a perfect launch of the same missile for second day in a row, India on May 2 successfully test fired the indigenously-developed surface-to-air Akash missile as part of a user trial from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.

The missile with a strike range of 25 km and capability to carry warhead of 60 kg, was test fired for the second consecutive day at about 2.28 pm from launch complex-3 of the ITR, defence sources said.

Akash, which aimed at a para-barrel target during the trial, is a medium range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defence system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Two Akash missiles were successfully test fired from the same base on April 26 while another such missile also hit the target on May 1, an official said adding that the latest test fire was also another success story.

Compared with America's MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system, Akash has the capability to neutralise aerial targets like fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles.