INDIAN AKASH TO TOUCH FOREIGN SKIES SOON

The government’s decision to export missiles to foreign countries is going to boost the possibilities of both the public and private sector companies in the defence and aerospace sector. It will also make India part of the niche club of countries which export such platforms and systems

Government has set a target of USD 5 billion in defence exports and to achieve In an effort to achieve this target and improving strategic relations with friendly foreign countries, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the export of the `Made in India’ `Akash’ surface to air missile system.

In a meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to ensure that faster approvals for exporting not only the missiles but also, other weapons systems and air platforms decision was taken to set up a high-level committee. In this committee besides the defence minister, there will be the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

So far several member countries from the ASEAN grouping have expressed interest in buying these missiles from India. These include countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and the UAE, Saudi Arabia in the Middle East have shown interest in buying the indigenous `Akash’ missile system.

The special committee is going to explore various options including the government to government route for the export of these missiles.

When Akash missile is exported it will be the first-ever weapons platform to be exported by a defence PSU. Though India has been building fast patrol boats, helicopters and ammunition and radars for the global customers.

Know more about the Missile which is ready to be exported The Akash missile has an unusual design. It is a solid-fuel, ducted ramjet missile. Normally, the propellant in a solid-fuel rocket includes all the oxygen needed for complete combustion, since rockets are often required to work in oxygen-free environments, or where it is not feasible to externally supply all the oxygen needed for complete combustion.

The missile is already inducted in the Indian Air Force (2014) and the Indian Army (2015). The range is 25 km. This helps to keep the helicopters, fighters and drones from attacking critical installations. It has the capability to engage multiple targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode, simultaneously.

The indigenous content is 96 per cent all of which has been manufactured in India. There is a built-in Electronic Counter-counter Measures (ECCM). And the system has been configured on mobile platforms. It has been designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation( drdo) and has been produced by defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).

The export version of Akash will be different from System which the Indian armed forces are using.

Since the fuel contains only 20 per cent of the oxygen needed to burn completely, a solid-fuel, ducted ramjet, in contrast, is more weight-efficient. And the remaining 80 per cent oxygen is obtained by bringing air into the combustion chamber through an intake duct. And then mixing it with the partially-burnt fuel. This provides it with the rest of the oxygen that is needed.

ASEAN countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the West Asia have shown interest in buying the indigenous ‘Akash’ surface to air missile system

Why is it called ramjet?

Because the air is rammed into the combustion chamber by the missile’s supersonic speed.

According to officials, the DRDO has been worked over the years to improve the capabilities of this indigenous missile system. And then the missile will be upgraded as Akash Prime. This is expected to be compact, with a better seeker and have the capability of engaging targets which could be coming in from any direction, and in high altitudes and low temperatures.