Platform profile · India · Mobile short-range surface-to-air missile family · Indian Army and Indian Air Force
BDL completed the Advanced Akash first-off production model on March 26, 2026 and said deliveries could start shortly.
On March 26, 2026, BDL completed the first-off production model of the Advanced Akash Weapon System and said deliveries to the armed forces could begin shortly. A month earlier, the Defence Minister flagged off combat systems for the Army's third and fourth Akash regiments, while Akash-NG had completed Indian Air Force user-evaluation trials in December 2025. Akash Prime also completed a first-of-production-model high-altitude firing in Ladakh in July 2025 after the government credited the family with stellar performance during Operation Sindoor. The family spans the ramjet-powered legacy system, the seeker-equipped Mk1S and Prime upgrades, and the compact solid-motor Akash-NG, with both Army and Air Force users. It matters because Akash supplies a largely indigenous, mobile layer of India's air-defence network while upgraded variants move into production and induction.
Updated 7 days ago Updated 28 Aug 2026
Verified figures
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Legacy Akash range (current BDL webpage) | 4.5-25 km ↗ |
| Legacy Akash range (BDL 2021 brochure) | 3-25 km ↗ |
| Legacy Akash missile dimensions | 5.87 m long; 350 mm diameter ↗ |
| Legacy Akash launch mass | 710 kg ↗ |
| Legacy Akash speed (BDL 2021 brochure) | Mach 1.8-2.5 ↗ |
| Legacy Akash propulsion (BDL 2021 brochure) | Integral ramjet rocket ↗ |
| Legacy Akash warhead (BDL 2021 brochure) | High-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead with RF proximity fuze ↗ |
| Guidance by variant | Legacy: command guidance; Mk1S: command guidance plus active terminal seeker ↗ |
| Legacy Akash troop engagement capacity (BDL 2021 brochure) | Tracks 64 targets; launches 8 missiles against 4 targets simultaneously ↗ |
| Akash-NG missile propulsion and seeker | Solid rocket motor; indigenous RF seeker ↗ |
| Akash-NG sensor coverage | AESA multi-function radar: 120 km surveillance and 80 km fire control; EOTS: 45 km ↗ |
| Akash-NG simultaneous engagement | 10 or more targets in 360-degree azimuth ↗ |
Spec sources: bdl-india.in ↗ · bdl-india.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · bel-india.in ↗
Changelog
The Department of Defence Production issued a single unified Open General Export Licence SOP replacing three separate procedures, extending licence validity from two to three years and widening coverage from 41 listed countries to all states except those on the negative/sensitive list or under UN Security Council sanctions or arms embargoes, after defence exports reached a record INR 38,424 crore in FY2025-26.
BDL completed the first-off production model of the Advanced Akash Weapon System with upgraded subsystems, demonstrated precision against diverse aerial threats, and said deliveries to the armed forces would begin shortly.
The Defence Minister flagged off Akash combat systems for the Indian Army's third and fourth regiments at BEL in Bengaluru and inaugurated a missile-integration facility.
DRDO completed Akash-NG user-evaluation trials after interceptions in near-boundary low-altitude and long-range high-altitude scenarios, paving the way for induction.
Akash Prime destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets during a first-of-production-model firing trial in Ladakh; the Army variant was configured for operation above 4,500 m.
During the May 7-8 air-defence engagements of Operation Sindoor, the government said indigenous Akash systems delivered stellar performance within a layered network that neutralised drones and missiles.
Akash-NG intercepted and destroyed a high-speed unmanned target at very low altitude off Odisha, validating the complete missile, launcher, multi-function radar and command-and-control system before user trials.
BDL signed an INR 8,161 crore Ministry of Defence contract to produce and supply Akash weapon systems for two Indian Army regiments, with execution planned over three years.
DRDO transferred Authority Holding Sealed Particulars for the Indian Army version of Akash to the Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency.
Akash Prime completed its maiden flight test at Chandipur, intercepting and destroying an unmanned target while validating its indigenous active RF seeker and high-altitude, low-temperature improvements.
Akash-NG completed its maiden launch off Odisha and intercepted a highly manoeuvring low-radar-cross-section target with textbook precision.
DRDO completed two Akash Mk1S tests on May 25 and 27, establishing the upgrade's indigenous seeker and combined command-guidance and active-terminal-seeker performance.
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MoD's Department of Defence Production merges three OGEL procedures into one, extends validity to three years and opens the licence from 41 countries to all but sensitive and sanctioned states after a record ₹38,424 crore export year.
