Akash Prime Missile.
India’s Akash Prime Missile Excels in High-Altitude Trials, Bolstering Air Defence:
LEH, LADAKH – July 17, 2025 – India has marked another significant achievement in its defense capabilities with the successful high-altitude flight-test of Akash Prime, an upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System, for the Indian Army. On July 16, 2025, the missile system successfully intercepted and destroyed two Aerial High Speed Unmanned targets in the challenging high-altitude terrain of Ladakh.
This advanced weapon system has been specifically customized to operate effectively at altitudes exceeding 4,500 meters (approximately 14,760 feet). It incorporates the latest upgrades, including a crucial indigenously developed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker. These enhancements are a direct result of operational feedback from users, demonstrating the agility and responsiveness of India’s indigenous defense ecosystem in improving weapon system effectiveness.
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The successful validation of the Akash Prime Weapon System is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Army Air Defence and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), working in conjunction with key Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, as well as other industry partners. These trials, conducted as part of the First of Production Model firing, are expected to facilitate the timely induction of the system, significantly enhancing India’s air defense potential in its high-altitude border regions.
This achievement carries particular weight, following the exceptional performance of India’s indigenously developed air defense systems during the recently concluded Operation Sindoor. It signals a major leap forward for the nation’s missile development programs, which are increasingly garnering attention in the global defense market due to their proven capabilities and indigenous design.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his hearty compliments to the Indian Army, DRDO, and the involved industries for this remarkable success. He underscored the achievement as a substantial boost to India’s overall Air Defence capabilities, especially in addressing the unique and demanding requirements of high-altitude operational environments.
Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, also congratulated the teams associated with the successful test. He affirmed that the missile has effectively met the country’s critical air defense requirements for high-altitude operations, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense technology.
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