A splendid day for indigenous weapons. The Indian MoD’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the purchase of six more squadrons of Akash for the IAF (that’s 750 missiles). It’s been reported that four of the six squadrons will be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh. With this, the IAF has eight Akash squadrons, and may procure more. The Indian Army is also understood to be considering a couple of squadrons worth.Six More Akash Squadrons For IAF!
A splendid day for indigenous weapons. The Indian MoD’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the purchase of six more squadrons of Akash for the IAF (that’s 750 missiles). It’s been reported that four of the six squadrons will be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh. With this, the IAF has eight Akash squadrons, and may procure more. The Indian Army is also understood to be considering a couple of squadrons worth.
Good news, Is there any export order for Akash. If so that is the real litmus test to prove to the indian tax payers that there is an return on investment for our tax contributions.
excellent and heart warming news for any supporter of Indian defence! This validates the fact that once the IAF or IA actually induct indigenous weapons, they find that they are good for the cost vs capability comparison with foreign imports. Plus this order can be easily scaled up, upgrades will be easy because OEM is Indian and the deals are corruption free.
Anon, please be aware. The ROI has already occurred and that too in spades. If there was no Akash, the IAF would have to import eight squadrons of far more expensive imported SAMs with operational restrictions to boot. If the Akash system itself were not enough, the Indian Air Force has also ordered 37 (yes, thirty seven) of the Akash's central acquisition radar's modernised variant, the Rohini. Thats 37 radars for the medium range role, that the IAF has procured locally (with components from local industries) and not an imported system. If even that is not enough, another Naval variant has been ordered by the Navy and another by the Army. Plus the Rajendra derived Weapon Locating Radar has also cleared trials.
So as you can see, the Akash program has returned far more than it took, to the Indian tax payer and by indications, it will continue to do so.
Exports are actually unnecessary for the Akash, given how many orders for the missile and its radars already exist.
We should now try to export these home made systems in a big way like the dhruv.it will enable economies of scale ,earn foreign exchange, generate employment and bring us influence globally.
where does Akash stands among the missiles in its class, why it was abandoned in the first place and the accepted, if there was any issues with it, r this fixed and is this an advanced version of Akash. What is its actual performance/parameters against aircraft/missiles, where the performance tests, we simply can't order something we r not at all sure off, why all on a sudden, everybody is intrested, r all those previous glitches correcteed?
at least now IAF will remove those obsolete SA3 's
good news
excellent news? will indian army follow indian air force and navy? they never want an indian product? pockets?
why only 6 squadrons?? wasn't the Akash suppossed to replace the SA-6 completly. Akash is the ideal short range defence for all IAF, Army, Navy bases and other critical assets,
Akash is Back from desk-file to grace of forces.
Welcome, I hope for more
That's good and a thumbs up for our defence institutions.
Mr. Shiv
Can you shed some light on the IAF Vayu Shakti excercise taking place at the month end?
I would deeply appreciate a response
Thank you
anon@9:43 am, the answers to all your questions are available on the BR forums and the BR website. a short answer to your questions
akash stands fairly well, its problems were fixed a long time back, and no we are not ordering something we are unsure of, we are ordering something which went through the toughest tests possible in 2007 after which orders were place.
Sum total of SAMs must be equal to number of planes in Neighbouring Air Forces and not less.
We need more Akash SAMs
I am now waiting for Arjun, Kaveri and Trishul (in that order) to emerge successful beyond all doubts. We shall overcome…
– Manne
Superb News…..
Akash Must be having some new techs from LRSAM and Barak-8.
Any updates on range enhancement
how many batteries of akash would be der in one squadrob….???? any info on that shiv….. pls
I think we should now jump start the process for future missiles.Involve private sector and institutions in the fullest manner.'Canisterisation' should be looked for future.The truck- trailer launcher(at least the ones we have seen till date) looks less than rugged.It uses a standard TATA commercial tractor unit. We have excellent BEML-TATRA trucks that could serve very well. Even TATA,given the job,should have no problem on this.
Generally foreign companies offer old technology at lower cost. Now Armed forces is using DRDO to bargain prices from international vendors. They are trying to show international weapon manufacturers that we don't need you now. Obviously manufactures will offer the latest weapon instead of old one at bargain prices.
Hi Shiv can you please help me know about the Indian missile inventory(existing,planned and in operation) along with range in comparison to Pakistan's missile inventory. Is our missile program better than Pakistan? Is our missile program another example of DRDO's impotency ? Don't we have any capable people handling the missle program after APJ Abdul Kalam
Now paf pilots will shyt in their jump suit