The Indian Army successfully test-fired the advanced version of the Akash missile defense system, Akash Next Generation (Akash-NG), at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, on Tuesday. This is considered a major step towards strengthening the country's indigenous air defense capabilities.

According to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), during the trial, Akash-NG accurately destroyed aerial targets at varying distances and altitudes. This included targets flying at low altitudes near the border and high-altitude targets at longer ranges.

This missile defense system can target fighter jets, cruise missiles, drones, and UAVs up to a range of 80 km and an altitude of 20 km. It has the capability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, destroying up to 10 targets at once.

Why is Akash-NG special?

According to officials, the Akash-NG missile system is a modern and powerful air defense system. It has been developed by the DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). This system is capable of engaging multiple aerial targets simultaneously.

The process of inducting it into the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army has been expedited. Its induction will further strengthen the country's air defense and significantly boost India's indigenous air defense capabilities.

https://twitter.com/DRDO_India/status/2003512302113554783?s=20

Earlier, on July 17, the Indian Army successfully tested the indigenously developed air defense system 'Akash Prime' in Ladakh. This advanced missile system was also developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

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This system shot down two drones flying at an altitude of over 15,000 feet (4500 meters) in eastern Ladakh. Akash Prime is a new and advanced version of the Akash weapon system. It has been designed for use in high-altitude and low-oxygen environments.

India tested the Agni-Prime missile late Wednesday night using a rail-mounted mobile launcher system. It was launched using a canisterized launching system, a specially designed train capable of reaching any corner of the country with a rail line.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced this. The test was conducted at the Chandipur Integrated Test Range in Odisha. This test puts India among a select group of countries that possess a canisterized launching system capable of launching missiles from rail networks.

Russia, China, and North Korea have previously tested mobile rail launchers. The United States is also included in this list, but has never confirmed its presence. The Agni-Prime missile is designed to have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers and is equipped with advanced features.

Why is this missile test significant for India?

This missile test is considered extremely important for India because, during any war, the army needs a rail line leading to the launching point. Some missiles were difficult to move due to their weight. This scenario will now change.

This also means that the army can hide its missiles in railway tunnels to protect them from enemy sight. The Defense Minister also wrote that this rail-based mobile launcher can launch missiles in a short time, even from dark and foggy areas.

With 70,000 kilometers of rail lines, Indian Railways is the fourth largest network in the world. Kanyakumari in the south, Baramulla in the north, Sairang in the east, and Okha in the west are the most remote railway stations in the country. This means that rail connectivity is available even here.

What is a Canisterized Launch System?

This is a modern missile launching technology. In this system, the missile is placed in a sturdy canister (a large metal container). This canister protects the missile and makes it easily transportable and ready for launch.

The missile can be fired directly from the canister without lengthy preparation. The missile remains protected against moisture, dust, weather, and other adverse conditions. The missile can be transported anywhere by placing it in a canister on a truck, rail, or mobile launcher.

It is difficult for the enemy to identify which canister carries a missile and which does not. Being packed in a canister eliminates the need for frequent maintenance.

These countries have conducted rail-based missile tests so far.

Russia's Molodets: In the 1980s, the former Soviet Union launched the RT-23 Molodets from special trains. The Molodets could also carry nuclear weapons. Russia also planned to revive it with the Barguzin system, but shelved the project to focus on hypersonic missile development.

China's DF-4: In December 2016, China tested a new rail-mobile version of its ballistic missile DF-41 (CSS-X-20). The Chinese Rocket Force is working on such mobile options.

North Korea: Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported on a rail missile system on September 16, 2021. The missile traveled a distance of 800 kilometers before striking.

United States: Studies on a rail-based system for its Minuteman missiles began in the 1950s. They abandoned it in 1961. Japan and South Korea have also tested missile launches via rail.

DRDO new update

डीआरडीओ प्रमुख ने बताया कि 307 ATAGS बंदूकों का निर्माण भारत फोर्ज और टाटा एडवांस्ड सिस्टम जैसी निजी क्षेत्र की कंपनियां कर रही है। उनके लिए भी इस वित्तीय वर्ष के अंत तक विदेश से ऑर्डर आ सकते है। भारत की रक्षा क्षेत्र में पूरी तरह आत्मनिर्भर बनने की कोशिश में जल्द ही एक और उपलब्धि जुड़ने वाली है। रक्षा अनुसंधान एवं विकास संगठन इस साल मार्च तक ब्रह्मोस सुपरसॉनिक क्रूज मिसाइल का निर्यात शुरू कर देगा।

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डीआरडीओ प्रमुख समीर वी. कामत ने खुद इसकी पुष्टि की है। उन्होंने न्यूज एजेंसी एएनआई से बातचीत में कहा कि डीआरडीओ अगले 10 दिन में ही इन मिसाइलों के ग्राउंड सिस्टम्स का निर्यात शुरू करेगा। इतना ही नहीं डीआरडीओ ने जिन 307 ATAGS बंदूकों को विकसित किया है और जिनका निर्माण भारत फोर्ज और टाटा एडवांस्ड सिस्टम जैसी निजी क्षेत्र की कंपनियां कर रही हैं, उनके लिए भी इस वित्तीय वर्ष के अंत तक विदेश से ऑर्डर आ सकते हैं। डीआरडीओ चेयरमैन ने कहा कि ब्रह्मोस मिसाइल के लिए फिलीपींस के अलावा अन्य देशों ने भी रुचि दिखाई है। मेरा अनुमान है कि 31 मार्च से पहले ही इसके लिए ऑर्डर दिया जाएगा। उन्होंने बताया कि डीआरडीओ की तरफ से अब तक जिन हथियारों का उत्पादन हो रहा है, उन्हें जल्द ही सेना के तीनों अंगों में शामिल किया जाएगा। कामत ने बताया कि LCA Mk-1A, अर्जुन एमके-1ए, QRSAM के अलावा हमारी कुछ और मिसाइलें जल्द ही सेना का हिस्सा बनेंगी।

DRDO new update