Article Posted on : - Mar 18, 2011

Akash missile during Aero India 2011. A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) Thursday is understood to have discussed the induction of the indigenously-produced and developed Akash surface to air missile defence system into the Indian Army.

The CCS is also understood to have discussed some of the proposals of the Navy to tackle piracy in the high seas, sources said here.

The Army is looking to place orders for two regiments of the missile system, which has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

"Request for Proposal (RFP) for procurement of Akash Weapon System for Army has been issued to a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) in October 2010," Defence Minister A K Antony had recently said.

The IAF has already inducted two squadrons of the missile system including its radar and is looking to place orders for six more squadrons.

The Akash missile systems consist of a launcher, a missile with a 25-30 km range, control centre, multifunction fire control radar and supporting ground equipment.