The Amazing Story of Akash and the Way Forward

The story of indigenous defence technology proving to be a game-changer is often inadequately reported. During Operation Sindoor, the indigenously developed medium-range Akash missile allegedly shot down a PAK JF- 17 Thunder, jointly developed with China, in the Kashmir region. This medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM), with a 25–45 kms intercept range, supersonic speed, and active terminal guidance, can engage up to four targets simultaneously with 24 ready-to-fire missiles. It successfully neutralised Pakistan military’s attempts at large-scale drone and missile attacks on multiple military installations across northern and western India during the night of 7–8 May, and the air defence (AD) system at Lahore was neutralised.