India successfully tests Akash prime missile in high-altitude Ladakh trials

New Delhi, Jul 17: India achieved a significant breakthrough in its air defence capabilities on Wednesday with the successful destruction of two high-speed aerial targets by Akash Prime, the upgraded version of the Akash Weapon System, in the high-altitude Ladakh. The tests, conducted above 4,500 metres, validated the performance of the Akash Prime system, which features advanced upgrades including an indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker. Designed to meet the Indian Army’s operational needs in mountainous terrain, the system has been refined using feedback from earlier deployments to enhance effectiveness in challenging environments.

The trials were conducted as part of the First Production Model firing exercises.

These tests mark a key milestone for the collaboration between the Army Air Defence, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and public sector defence firms such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, as well as private industry partners. Akash Prime’s successful performance is seen as a major step forward in strengthening India’s indigenous missile development programmes. It follows the recent deployment of air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, which had drawn praise for their effectiveness. The successful validation is expected to pave the way for the timely induction of the system into operational service, significantly boosting India’s high-altitude air defence capabilities.