IAF likes the Akash, the Army’s not impressed doesn’t

NEW DELHI: The indigenously developed surface-to-air missile Akash, capable of engaging multiple targets, has impressed the Indian Air Force but not the Army.

The contradictory stands come at a time when Akash is going through a series of tests in the desert near Pokhran before full flight tests at the Balasore range along the Bay of Bengal.

According to defence sources, the IAF, impressed with the short-range missile that can identify enemy objects and engage multiple targets, has written to the Defence Research and Development Organisation offering to induct it in two units.

But the Army has written to the DRDO rejecting the system, pointing out that it was too late in the day for induction. Sources say “we are focused on the induction of Akash into the Air Force”.

“If the tests are successful in Pokhran then we will go in for the flight test in Balasore,” sources told DNA. If the flight test too was successful, production  would begin.

Sources said the present tests in Pokhran were looking at “consistency” in the battery control centre, battery level radar and the launcher. Besides, it was looking at the efficacy of the system in identifying friend or foe accurately.  The validation is being done by flying a number of aircraft and testing the accuracy of the system in identification of friend and foe.

Sources said if all the tests in Pokhran and Balasore were successful, induction in the IAF would begin. Serial production would have Bharat Electronics Limited as the lead contractor but with several private sector players actively involved.