India conducts high-altitude trials of Akash Prime SAM system

The Akash Prime missile fired from a wheeled missile launcher vehicle during its maiden test-firing conducted in September 2021. (Indian Ministry of Defence)

India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted high-altitude trials of its Akash Prime surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the trials were conducted on 16 July in the Indian union territory of Ladakh, which shares a border with China to the east and has previously been a flashpoint of Sino-Indian conflicts.

“The weapon system is customised to operate in altitude above 4,500 m and [features] latest upgrades including [an] indigenously developed radio frequency (RF) seeker,” the MoD said.

According to the MoD, the Akash Prime missile engaged with and “destroyed” two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the evaluation.

The MoD added that the trials featured the first production model of Akash Prime and will “enable timely induction [of the weapon] and enhance the air-defence potential in high-altitude frontiers of the country”.

The Akash Prime system was developed by DRDO in collaboration with the Indian Army's Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) and state-owned defence manufacturers Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). It is an improved variant of the baseline Akash weapon system.

The new trials follow an order placed by the MoD worth INR81.6 billion (USD947 million) with BDL in March 2023 to deliver two Akash Prime systems to the Indian Army. Janes previously reported that the system will be deployed with the 3rd and 4th regiments of the AAD.

According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence,