India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed surface-to-air ‘Akash’ missile of Air Force version from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here, the fifth trial of the anti-aircraft system in the last fortnight.
“The Air Force version of ‘Akash’ missile was test-fired from the ITR. The trial was successful and met all the mission objectives,” a senior defence official said.
The anti-aircraft missile, with a strike range of 25 km and capable of carrying warhead of 60 kg, was test-fired from a mobile launcher at launch complex-III of the ITR.
The trial, which formed part of the country’s routine air defence exercises, was conducted at 0757 hrs (IST), an official of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) associated with the Akash missile project said.
To revalidate the technology and operational efficacy of the missile, defence forces conducted the trial with logistic support provided by the ITR, the official said. The ‘Akash’ weapon system, which has its Army version too, was inducted into the armed forces in 2008.
Wednesday’s test-fire came after similar trials conducted from the same test range on May 24, 26, 28 and June 1. On June 1, two Air Force versions of ‘Akash’ missiles had been test-fired successfully in quick succession, the official said.
