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India today successfully test-fired the indigenously developed Air Force version of the surface-to-air 'Akash' missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore district off the Odisha coast. The Akash missile, with a strike range of 25 km and capable of carrying warhead of 60 kg, was test fired from a mobile launcher at launch complex-III of the ITR this morning. This is the fifth successful trial of the anti-aircraft system over the last fortnight. The Akash weapon system, which has its Army version too, was inducted into the armed forces in 2008. Akash, an anti-aircraft defence system, can simultaneously engage several targets with 'Rajendra' radar developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, a DRDO laboratory in Bangalore . The development of Akash missile took place during 1990s under the country's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) and after many trials, it was inducted into the armed forces.

Air Force version of 'Akash' missile successfully test-fired