Akash Prime Missile

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Akash Prime Missile- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 3: Security- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security; Security challenges and their management in border areas.

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested a new version of Akash Surface to Air missile ‘Akash Prime’ from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.

About: Like recently tested Akash-NG, Akash Prime Missile is also a variant of the Akash Missile.
- Akash Missile is India’s first indigenously produced medium-range Surface to Air missile.
- Akash Missile was developed to replace the Russian 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) missile system, currently in service.
Akash Prime is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy.
Other improvements also ensure more reliable performance under low-temperature environments at higher altitudes.
It can intercept aerial targets mimicking enemy aircraft.

Background: DRDO was established in 1958 after combining Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
Parent Ministry: DRDO works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
Mandate: To establish a world-class science and technology base for India and provides Defence Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions.
- DRDO is also responsible for carrying out Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).