AKASH
Origin--India
Type---SAM

Technical Specification
Weight : 700 kg
Propulsion : Solid-propellant booster
Range : 27km
Payload : Army type 1000 kg with a range of 150 km, Air Force type has a
payload of 500 - 750 kg for its range of 250 km

Warhead: Bomblets, sub-amunitions, cluster amunitions, re-fragmented explosives, fuel-air explosives and high explosives.

The Akash (Sky) is a medium-range, Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) from India. It operates with the Rajendra surveillance radar. This missile is expected to strengthen the air defence system of India. It would help to counter the medium range ballistic missile threats along the Pakistani and the Chinese borders.

The Indian scientists are also working to match the capabilities of the Akash missile to the US Patriot missile. This modified version of the Akash will be able to intercept bigger missiles like the ICBMs and the IRBMs mid-air. Plans are also on to develop a naval version of the Akash in the very near future.

The Akash can destroy any object in mid air within 27 km. It is also capable of detecting and destroying aircraft flying at treetop height. The booster engine enables missile to reach its maximum speed limit in just 4.5 seconds.

The credit of success for the success of the Akash also goes to the Rajendra surveillance radar. The radar system can track 64 targets simultaneously and guide the Akash to slay them in mid-air. The surveillance radar's range is 60 km against aircraft targets. Once the operational tests are over the Akash will be included into the arsenal of the Indian army and the air force by the year 2001.