New Delhi: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on October 1 described the Akash surface-to-air missile system as one of India’s defence-sector success stories, saying its production has stabilised amid continued orders from the Indian armed forces and growing demand from overseas customers. He said the system demonstrates the maturation of India’s indigenous missile design and production capabilities.
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“Akash, I would say that it is one of our success stories,” Singh said, highlighting the system’s effectiveness against high-velocity aerial targets. He added that Armenia was the first foreign customer, followed by exports to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, with additional international interest expected.
The Akash is a short-range surface-to-air missile system developed by DRDO and is operational with both the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Its weapon system can engage multiple aerial targets in group or autonomous modes and incorporates electronic counter-countermeasures.
The system has also continued to evolve. The Akash-NG completed its User Evaluation Trials in December 2025, including interceptions against targets representing different range and altitude scenarios. DRDO said the next-generation system incorporates an indigenous RF seeker and a new missile, with the radar, command-and-control unit and launcher developed by DRDO laboratories in collaboration with Indian industry.
Akash is emerging alongside BrahMos and Indian artillery systems as part of India’s expanding defence-export portfolio. Singh had earlier said that overseas interest was increasing in missiles and other indigenous systems, while India is seeking to expand its defence exports further. India’s defence exports reached ₹38,424 crore in FY2025-26, according to government figures reported earlier this year.
The Akash programme therefore represents more than a missile export: it reflects the development of a domestic ecosystem involving DRDO, defence PSUs and private industry, from design and production to system integration and support. The widening customer base also gives Indian industry an opportunity to build long-term overseas relationships around air-defence systems and associated services.
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