The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Monday successfully tested indigenously developed Akash-1S surface to air defense missile system. The Akash-1S missile has an indigenous seeker and can shoot down enemy fighter jets, missiles and drones very effectively and accurately at a range of up to 30 kilometers and at altitudes up to 18 km. It has a speed of 2.5 mach.

According to news agency ANI, this is the second successful test of the missile in the last two days. Akash missile system has already been deployed by IAF at its bases in Gwalior, Hashimara, Tejpur, Jorhat, and Pune since 2013. The missile uses high-energy solid propellant for the booster and ram-rocket propulsion for the sustainer phase. The medium range multi-target engagement capable missile was developed as part of the Integrated Guided-Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) other than Nag, Agni, Trishul, and Prithvi missiles.

India is also said to working on a next-generation Akash Missile called Akash NG. It will feature an AESA Multi-Function Radar (MFR). The Addition of MFR will afford the Akash missile system capabilities it never had before. MFR will combine functions (search, track and fire control) of three different radars in one single unit. This new Akash NG will significantly bolster India's air defense system.

Earlier on Friday, DRDO successfully test-fired an indigenously-developed 500 kg class guided bomb from a Sukhoi combat jet at Pokhran in Rajasthan.

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