Defence News
After QRSAM, Akash-NG too will get a truck-mounted canister.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after successfully designing quick-reaction surface-to-air missile (QRSAM) system with a stated strike range of 25-30 km mounted on a truck-mounted canister will give still in development next-generation Akash-NG missile also a truck-mounted canister system. Akash-MK1 surface-to-air missile (SAM) missile system in service with armed forces comes with Army Self-Propelled Launcher (ASPL) integrated into a Truck (Army), while Airforce uses Truck trailer based Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) both capable to carry three Akash Missile each up to range of 25-30km. Addition of canister for Akash-NG will serve a dual function in providing an environmental container and also as a launching tube. Use of canister container greatly improves storage and also provides operational flexibility. Akash-NG will be upgraded Akash-MK1 version equipped with a new radar and seeker, which will also have a better range of around 40 km. DRDO is also developing Akash-1S (Seeker) which will see an addition of Seeker on the basic Akash-MK1 version to further improve its interception reliability against aerial targets. DRDO’s QRSAM SAM missile system was first to get a hot launch canister based launching system after DRDO had successfully developed a Cold launch canister based launching system for Agni V. DRDO plans to develop canister based launching system for all Long-range ballistic missile like Agni-IV, Agni-III and Agni-1P in future.
