Akash Prime Successfully Destroys High-Speed Targets in Ladakh, Boosts India’s High-Altitude Air Defence

New Delhi: India marked a major milestone in its defence capabilities on July 16 with the successful test-firing of Akash Prime, the upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System, which destroyed two aerial high-speed unmanned targets at high altitude in Ladakh. Designed specifically for the Indian Army, the weapon system has been tailored to operate effectively at elevations above 4,500 metres.

The Akash Prime system, featuring an indigenously developed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, incorporates a range of upgrades derived from operational feedback. These enhancements have been implemented to improve its tracking, targeting, and engagement effectiveness—demonstrating the strength of India’s growing ecosystem for indigenous weapon development.

The trials, carried out as part of the First of Production Model (FoPM) firing evaluation, were conducted jointly by the Indian Army’s Air Defence units, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and defence public sector undertakings Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), along with key industry partners. The successful validation clears the way for timely induction of the system, reinforcing India’s air defence posture in the high-altitude frontier regions.

The achievement is seen as a follow-up to the outstanding performance of India’s homegrown air defence systems during Operation Sindoor, further cementing the country’s standing in the global defence sector and boosting confidence in indigenous technologies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the success, calling it a “significant boost to India’s air defence capabilities” and particularly valuable for meeting the strategic requirements in mountainous terrains.

Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also congratulated the teams involved, stating that the Akash Prime missile system has now proven its ability to meet India’s critical air defence needs at high altitudes.

The successful trials of Akash Prime signal another leap forward in India’s efforts to develop robust, self-reliant defence technologies capable of protecting its territorial integrity under the most challenging conditions.