Article Posted on : - Jul 14, 2010

The Akash surface-to-air missile. A DRDO photo

NEW DELHI (BNS): After several years of delay, India's indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile is now ready for production and induction in the armed forced.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which has received orders worth Rs 27,000 crore from both the Indian Army and Indian Air Force for the weapon system, is all set to start the production process along with its industry partners.

“The weapon system for the Akash missile is now ready for production and induction.

“This is a major milestone for DRDO and its industry partners. It is also an essential step towards indigenously developing more complex air defence weapons for the future,” a DRDO official was quoted as saying by Financial Express.

The Indian Army had recently placed an order for 12 batteries of the medium range Akash missiles. Earlier this year, the IAF had ordered six Akash missile squadrons in addition to two squadrons already procured by it. Each squadron comprises 125 Akash missiles.

The medium range anti-aircraft missile Akash was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) of India. The missile was intended to replace the Russian-made SAM-6 Kvadrat missiles.