Seven More Akash Missile Squadrons Of IAF To Be Equipped With MRSAM Missile Defence System In Rs 5,357 Crore Deal

In another boost for the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem, seven more Akash missile squadrons of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are to be equipped with Akash Medium-range surface to air missile (MRSAM) defence system, ET reports.

The Defence Ministry has signed the Rs 5,357 crore deal with Bengaluru-based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) which will deliver the systems within the next three years.

"As a turnkey contract with specialist infrastructure, the systems will be commissioned in three years at seven Air Force bases across the country," a statement by BEL said.

"An Akash system comprises a 3D passive electronically scanned array radar and four launchers with three missiles each, interlinked," the statement reads further.

The system which has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is manufactured by the Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) for BEL’s radars and control centres in the country.

The IAF had earlier inducted the system at six of its bases in 2015-16. The system can shoot down fighter jets, cruise missiles and incoming air-to-surface missiles within a 30 km radius. The system has also been procured by the Indian Army.