EXCLUSIVE: Akash Mk-II SAM To Fly In Two Years

The Mark-II version of India’s Akash surface-to-air missile has begun development and will be ready for a first flight in 24 months — that’s the guarantee its makers, the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) have given to the Air Force and Army. With orders worth Rs 23,300-crore in the bag, the Akash is the currently toast of India’s missile programme. Top sources have revealed that while most of Project Akash staff is currently focused on ensuring that serial production is trouble-free, a select team of scientists and engineers has been handpicked to begin Mk-II.

The Akash Mk-II will be a longer-range, faster and more accurate SAM. Ok, now here’s the low-down on the Akash Mk-II. The missile will have an intercept range of 30-35 km, or a little over 10-km more than the Mk-I version. Apart from extending range, the Mk-II project mandate will be to increase accuracy of the missile’s guidance system and the fire control system, push up the missile’s performance, agility, speed, efficiency and accuracy. This will involve tweaking of almost all major systems, including the missile itself, signal processors etc.

Project Akash-II has set itself a deadline of 18 months to begin simulated trials, following which it will begin a routine of development test-firings. While Mk-I cost DRDO Rs 1,000-crore to complete, the Mk-II project has taken a decision not to ask for funds unless it absolutely needs them. An interim feasibility study conducted by the laboratories concerned has shown that scientists are confident of getting the first prototype up and ready on a modest tech-dem budget extended to all follow-on programmes.

26 thoughts on “EXCLUSIVE: Akash Mk-II SAM To Fly In Two Years”

  1. This is great news! Go Akash!!!

    I wish there'd be something on MR-SAM and LR-SAM programs as well. Hopefully with Barak-8 we get complete (and I really mean COMPLETE) tech transfer so that India can make follow-on systems itself.

  2. Awww…. Lets start lungi dance . GREAT NEWS SHIV , u r simply amazing… I must say we should focus on our akash which is truly a world class system and let the israeli fill our gaps for MR SAM nd LR SAM with barak 8 … This year ,this 2010 only belongs to DRDO nd its allies NT sum1 Like EX ACM krishnaswami who knows nufing bt talks …

  3. GO DRDO…..Hope the IAF and the Army is also part of the team or else there is always a possibility of conflict in the future.
    With LCH (with Helina) in the air Arjun in the forefront and Nag and Akash as support …we will have full spectrum dominance in the deserts of the western front.
    ''May the gods have mercy on our enemies…because we definitely wont''

  4. Shiv:

    Couple of questions:

    1. Will Akash Mk2 have an active seeker or will it still be commnad guided/SARH?

    2. Will it have a vertical launch system or will it still be mounted on trainable launchers?

  5. Some of the merciless Indians are not ashamed to drink water in getting TOT from wherever they can.
    Some of them are impressing their girl friends by asking corny questions like "Will it have an active seeker or be guided by command control" He obviously has PHd in MMR/IR seekers. Bloody moron asshole.
    NONE OF THEM HAS ANYTHING TO OFFER.
    Hang on,
    They have some black paint to bathe you in nonstop.
    "Porkis", "Chinkis" and other epithets will come out of these perverted gangsters.

  6. DRDO is developing so many high technology and sophisticated weapon systems. Weapons developped by DRDO needs to be battle tested. Export in large numbers of these weapon systems, helicopters, planes etc. will ensure accurate feedback regarding their performance / short coming. We shall also earn some money for redeployment in our research.
    This will be a major step towards achieving self reliance in defence requirement and becoming a military might.
    Thanks.
    P.K.Chaudhuri.

  7. @all

    following points should clarify your doubts

    1. Akash Mk-2 will become Akash EX (Extended Range Mk-II)

    2. While earlier plan was to have Akash mk-2 with range of 50 to 60km but now only extended range Akash with marginal increase in range of 10 to 15 km from its current range of 20 to25 km has been planned.

    3. This was done to avoid 2 different long range missiles in Army and Air Force arsenal, as you may know DRDO and IAI of Israel are developing Barak-II with range of 70km for navy and work on its land based version will start soon, so Barak-II long range interceptor missile will be there for all 3 forces; while Akash MK-1 and MK-2 will be Medium range surface to air interceptor missile for both army and air force.

    4. DRDO expects to increase the range of Akash by using a better composite booster with lengthened booster section to achieve the desired range.

    5. While Barak 1/2 and Akash 1/2 missile systems will be inducted by all three forces, Akash MK-1/2 will not see service in Indian Navy as they have lot of options in medium range.

  8. @Anon at 5:30pm
    Dont you know? they have to compress the fuel which will take 2 years as the compressors we have india has are not very good. Why do you think?

  9. MAITRI (LLQRM) 8-15 km Low Level Quick reaction short range Surface to Air missile missile

    Akash MK-1 /MK-2 (MR-SAM) 20-25 /35 km Medium range Surface to Air missile missile

    Barak-2 ( LRSAM) 70km Long Range Surface to Air missile….yepeee

  10. AnonPaki@9:12 is getting to understand what India is..an elephant that crushes everything in its path…unstoppable force!

    "merciless indians" it seems LOL!!

  11. @ANON 7:10am Indian Express on 04june2010 told that "After moving ahead with similar projects with Russia and Israel, India is set to finalise a missile co-development project with France to manufacture a new range of Short Range Surface to Air Missiles (SRSAM) for the armed forces

  12. I hope we come up with something close to the 9K37M2E "Buk-M2E" system – 720 kg, range 3–50 km, altitude 30–25000 m, Mach 4, readiness without inspection for at least 10 years of service!

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