India successfully test fires Air Force version of 'Akash' missile

India today successfully test fired its indigenously-developed Air Force version surface-to air 'Akash' missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore in Odisha coast.

This is the fifth trial of the user-specific anti-aircraft system, and was conducted to re-validate the technology and operational efficacy of the missile.

"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 missile, which has a strike range of 25km with a warhead of 60 kgs, was test fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-III of the ITR at 0757 hrs.

The missile was aimed at intercepting a floating object during the trial and supported by a pilotless target aircraft, flown from launch complex-II, at a definite altitude over the sea.

Akash, an anti-aircraft defence system, can simultaneously engage several targets with 'Rajendra' radar developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment a DRDO laboratory in Bangalore.