Bhubaneswar: On the eve of Republic Day, India successfully carried out maiden launch of Akash-NG missile from Integrated Test Range off Odisha coast.
The indigenously developed Akash was test-fired from Chandipur launch complex near Balasore at 2.25 pm on Monday, sources said. The missile weighing 720 kg and measuring 5.78 metre in length was successful in hitting the target with text book precision.
Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, the New Generation surface-to-air weapon is capable of destroying highly manoeuvring targets like UAVs, aircraft and missiles.
It has a strike range of 25 km and can carry a warhead of 60 kg. It has the capability to target aircraft up to 30 km away and is packed with a battery that can track and attack several targets simultaneously, sources said.
The launch is special as the DRDO will is set to showcase two tableaux at Republic Day parade – one showcasing light combat aircraft Tejas’ successful take-off from the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in 2020, and another displaying full complement of anti-tank guided missile systems.
