India Successfully Tests Akash Prime Air Defense Missile
India’s enhanced Akash Prime surface-to-air missile successfully intercepted two high-speed unmanned aerial targets during a high-altitude test in Ladakh on July 16. Conducted over 15,000 feet in the thin mountain atmosphere, the trial confirmed the missile’s capability to function effectively in extremely cold weather conditions. The test was carried out by the Army’s Air Defence units together with the DRDO and industry partners Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. It formed part of the “first of production model” firing trials intended to validate the system’s performance before induction into service.
The Akash Prime is an enhanced version of India’s indigenous Akash air defense missile. The original Akash provides all-weather, mobile coverage out to about 25–30 km against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. Prime retains this same range and a roughly 18 km ceiling, but adds an active radio-frequency (RF) seeker in the missile’s nose. This indigenous seeker enables Akash Prime to track and home in on targets independently during the terminal phase and provide it with full 360° engagement capability and a significantly higher hit probability compared to the legacy command-guided Akash. Akash Prime can detect and intercept fast movers even in rarefied air and extreme cold, while resisting enemy jamming or countermeasures.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Army, DRDO, and industry on the “remarkable achievement”, calling it a “significant boost” to India’s air defence capabilities in high-altitude regions. DRDO Chairman Samir Kamat also praised the team, saying the missile “has met the country’s critical air defence requirements for high-altitude deployments”. The Ministry of Defence pointed out that this success follows the “exceptional performance” of India’s home-grown air defence systems during recent border engagements (referred to as Operation Sindoor).
Background efforts on Akash Prime began years ago under the DRDO’s missile development program. The original Akash entered service in the 2010s and proved its value by defending bases and key sites. With the new test cleared, the Army will soon induct Akash Prime regiments equipped with the complete improved weapon system. By adding Prime to its inventory, India deepens its indigenous air-defence shield against hostile jets and drones along its frontiers, reducing reliance on imports while strengthening regional security.