By Gp Capt MJ Augustine Vinod (r)
In a significant stride towards establishing itself as a major player in the global defence market, India has exported its indigenous Akash missile system to Armenia. This move is more than a simple arms deal—it reflects India’s rise as a competitive defence producer and its vision of fostering self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. With the world’s attention turning to India’s growing capabilities, the export of the Akash system sets the stage for increased global engagement and cements India’s status as a nation capable of influencing international defence dynamics.
But what makes the Akash system so sought after, and what does this deal mean for India and its allies? Let’s take a deep dive into the technical capabilities of the Akash missile, its role in global air defence, and how this achievement fuels India’s defence ambitions.
The Technical Edge of the Akash Missile System
The Akash missile is a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system that has been designed to provide air defence against a variety of aerial threats. Here are some key technical aspects that highlight why the Akash system is a formidable asset:
1. Range and Speed: The Akash missile boasts an interception range of up to 30 km and can engage targets at altitudes as high as 18,000 meters. It can travel at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2.5, allowing for rapid response and interception.
2. Guidance and Tracking: The missile is guided by an advanced Rajendra radar system, which is a 3D passive electronically scanned array radar capable of tracking up to 64 targets simultaneously and engaging multiple targets. This radar provides the missile with precise mid-course guidance, enabling high accuracy even in complex battle scenarios.
3. Warhead and Explosive Power: The Akash missile is armed with a 60 kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead. This powerful payload is designed to detonate in proximity to the target, ensuring destruction through a proximity fuse.
4. Deployment and Mobility: One of the significant advantages of the Akash system is its mobility. It can be deployed on both tracked and wheeled platforms, making it adaptable to different terrains and operational requirements. This mobility is especially valuable for quick deployment in various strategic locations.
5. Electromagnetic Countermeasures: The system is equipped with advanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) to resist jamming and electronic warfare, ensuring its effectiveness even in high-threat environments where electronic interference is prevalent.
These features make the Akash missile system a formidable force in air defence, not just for India but now for Armenia as well, strengthening its capacity to respond to regional threats and enhance its overall security posture.
A Step Forward for India’s Global Standing in Defence Production
The export of the Akash missile is not an isolated achievement; it is a testament to India’s emergence as a credible arms supplier on the global stage. Historically, India has been a significant importer of defence equipment. However, in recent years, driven by the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the nation has made conscious strides to flip this narrative, focusing on indigenous development and manufacturing.
The successful export of Akash reinforces the message that India’s defence production ecosystem has reached a level of maturity where it can compete with other global arms exporters. This deal signals that Indian technology is reliable, battle-tested, and suitable for diverse operational environments. For Armenia, a country that has faced considerable regional security challenges, India’s missile system offers an attractive combination of affordability, capability, and political neutrality, unlike systems from larger geopolitical players.
Why Air Defence is Every Nation’s Birthright
Air defence is not just a matter of military strategy; it is a cornerstone of national sovereignty. The Akash missile system export embodies the belief that every nation has the right to defend its airspace and protect its people from external threats. In an era where asymmetric warfare and drone technology are on the rise, reliable air defence is essential for maintaining peace and stability.
The act of exporting the Akash missile reflects India’s commitment to helping partner countries bolster their defence capabilities, ensuring that air defence is accessible, not just to the powerful but also to smaller, security-challenged nations. This philosophy resonates with India’s age-old principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world is one family. It showcases India’s willingness to contribute to global stability, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared security.
Strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat
Atmanirbhar Bharat is more than just a slogan—it is a vision that encapsulates India’s quest for self-reliance and sustainable growth. The Akash missile, developed indigenously with contributions from DRDO, BEL, and BDL, embodies this spirit. By exporting such a sophisticated system, India proves that its defence production capabilities are not only adequate for domestic needs but are also competitive enough for the international market.
This export success feeds into a virtuous cycle where revenue generated from defence deals is reinvested into research and development, encouraging innovation and technological advancement. The ripple effect of such achievements is felt across India’s defence ecosystem, boosting the morale of engineers, scientists, and manufacturers and positioning India as a hub for defence solutions.
The Akash deal will likely inspire the Indian defence industry to explore and push for similar exports of other indigenous products like the BrahMos missile (which incidentally was the first export of India’s defence equipment), the Tejas fighter jet, and UAV systems. Such milestones contribute to strengthening India’s economy, creating jobs, and fostering an environment that nurtures technological leadership.
Strategic and Economic Implications
This export deal is not just about a missile; it is a strategic move that enhances India’s soft power and builds strategic alliances. It sends a clear message to potential partners that India is capable of providing reliable and sophisticated defence systems. This move also reinforces India’s role as a responsible arms exporter committed to peace and security.
From an economic perspective, arms exports open up new revenue streams and reduce the dependency on traditional defence imports. The defence industry, being a high-value sector, contributes significantly to job creation and skill development. As more deals come through, it is anticipated that India will continue investing in advanced R&D, fostering innovation that will have spillover effects into other sectors, from technology to manufacturing.
Conclusion: India’s Journey and Future Prospects
The export of the Akash missile system to Armenia is a landmark achievement that symbolizes India’s defence evolution. It is a demonstration of how far the country has come—from relying on imported equipment to being an exporter of advanced defence systems. This milestone aligns perfectly with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and reflects India’s commitment to being a global player in defence while supporting other nations in their quest for security and sovereignty.
As India builds on this success, the nation stands on the cusp of further breakthroughs that will see its defence products playing an even greater role on the global stage. With each step forward, India is not just exporting defence equipment but is sharing its story of resilience, capability, and the power of self-reliance. The Akash missile deal is, without a doubt, the harbinger of a new era in India’s defence narrative—one where Indian ingenuity meets global trust.
Group Captain MJ Augustine Vinod (r) is a Flying Instructor & a graduate of the College of Air Warfare, where he did his Higher Air Command Course. He has been commended by the Air Officer Commanding in Chief twice and was conferred with the Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India in 2015. He is a trained Paratrooper, Sky Diver, Scuba Dive Master and Deep-sea Rescue Diver. He is a renowned columnist and regularly gives his excerpts to various dailies and magazines.
