Article Posted on : - Jul 26, 2021

The New Generation Akash (Akash-NG) weapon system being successfully test launched from ITR off the Odisha coast on July 23. Photo: PIB/ PTI

BALASORE, ODISHA (PTI): India has successfully flight tested the New Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast on July 23, DRDO sources said.

The test was carried out by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) against a high-speed unmanned aerial target which was successfully intercepted by the missile.

The surface-to-air missile was also successfully flight-tested on July 21 from the same launch ground of ITR at Chandipur near Balasore, sources said.

The flight trial was conducted from launch pad 3 of the ITR with all weapon system elements such as Multifunction Radar, Command, Control & Communication System and launcher participating in deployment configuration, they said.

The missile, equipped with a radio frequency seeker, successfully intercepted a high speed unmanned aerial target, a DRDO spokesperson said.

On July 21, the missile was flight-tested without the seeker, meeting all mission requirements.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Industry on the second successful flight test of Akash-NG in a span of three days.

The missile system has been developed by Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.

The test was carried out amid inclement weather conditions, proving the all-weather capability of the weapon system.

In order to capture flight data, ITR deployed a number of Range stations like Electro Optical Tracking System, Radar and Telemetry.

The flawless performance of the entire weapon system has been confirmed by complete flight data captured by these systems. During the test, the missile demonstrated high manoeuvrability required for neutralising fast and agile aerial threats, sources said.

The launch was witnessed by representatives of the IAF. Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force.

Production agencies Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited also participated in the trials.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, also congratulated the teams for the successful trial of Akash NG which is capable of intercepting high speed and agile aerial threats.