India tests Akash Prime high-altitude air defence system

India conducted a successful test of a version of its Akash air defence system on Wednesday, upgraded for high altitude operations. The Akash Prime ‘successfully destroyed two aerial high speed unmanned targets at high-altitude in Ladakh,’ according to a defence ministry statement, which said ‘the trials were done as part of first of production model firing trial.’

‘The weapons system is customised to operate at altitudes above 4,500 metres,’ said the defence ministry, which said the upgrades included an ‘indigenously-developed Radio Frequency seeker.’

The Akash Prime Weapon System has been developed by Army Air Defence and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) ‘in conjunction with Defence PSUs (Public Sector Units) such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited.’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complemented the Indian Army, DRDO and industry on the successful test, calling it ‘a significant boost to India’s air defence capabilities, particularly for meeting high-altitude operational requirements.’

Separately, India’s Strategic Forces Command also successfully test-fired the Prithvi II and Agni I Short-Range Ballistic Missiles from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha on Thursday.