India test fires Akash missile

India on Wednesday test fired its Akash surface-to-air missile from a defence base in Odisha, an official said. 

The indigenously developed missile, with a 27-km range and an effective ceiling of 15km, was test fired from the Integrated Test Range of Chandipur in the coastal district of Balasore, 230km from here. 

‘It was a trial by the Indian Air Force,’ test range director MVKV Prasad said. 

The 700-kg all-weather missile can carry a 60-kg warhead at speeds of up to Mach 2.5. It can operate autonomously and simultaneously engage and neutralise different aerial targets. 

It can be launched from static or mobile platforms, enabling flexible deployment by the armed forces. 

Developed by DRDO, Akash is being produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited as the nodal production agency with the involvement of Bharat Electronics Limited and a large number of other industries.

Meanwhile, the tenure of K Radhakrishnan, secretary, Department of Space and chairman, Space Commission has been extended by four months and he will remain in the office till the end of this year. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the extension of the tenure.