In the heat of a sudden cross-border escalation with Pakistan on Thursday night, India’s cities in the west stood defended not just by vigilant forces, but by a remarkable feat of indigenous innovation — the Akash missile system. At the heart of this technological triumph is Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, the visionary former DRDO scientist who spearheaded the development of the Akash surface-to-air missile over a challenging fifteen-year journey.
The Akash system, designed to neutralise enemy drones, missiles, helicopters, and fast-moving aircraft such as the American-built F-16s, proved to be the cornerstone of India’s air defence network during the latest wave of Pakistani aggression. As drones and missile-like threats entered Indian airspace, the Akash missiles rose in rapid response, intercepting multiple targets with precision and reliability that left even its creator overcome with emotion. “It is the happiest day of my life,” said the 78-year-old Dr. Ramarao in an interview. “I had tears in my eyes… it worked beyond expectations.”
Dr. Ramarao, who was once handpicked by India’s legendary ‘missile man’ and former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was the youngest Project Director to lead the Akash programme. His work, often met with initial hesitation from sections of the Indian military, has now silenced all doubt through real-world success. In Thursday’s attacks, Akash operated alongside India’s broader integrated air defence grid — including Russian-made S-400 systems and cutting-edge electronic warfare platforms — creating an unbreachable dome over populated areas and key military installations.
Manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad, the Akash system represents India’s leap into strategic autonomy in air defence technology. It is a mobile, short-range missile system capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously — a feature that was crucial in handling the swarm of drones and guided threats launched by Pakistan. Each Akash missile, approximately 20 feet in length and weighing 710 kg, carries a 60 kg warhead and operates in fire-and-forget mode, allowing for quick, autonomous action once launched.
With a maximum engagement altitude of 20 kilometers, the Akash system is not only robust but smart — it uses real-time, multi-sensor data fusion and threat evaluation to track, identify, and neutralise enemy objects in split seconds. Designed with electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities, the system’s mobility and automation make it a tactical asset across terrains, especially under sudden conflict scenarios like this week’s incursion.
What further elevates the system’s significance is its growing international footprint. In a Rs 6,000-crore export deal, India has already supplied the Akash missile system to Armenia, underlining its rising relevance in global defence circles.
As India’s western skies cleared after Thursday night’s tension, the story of Akash was no longer just that of a missile system — it became a symbol of what homegrown science, vision, and perseverance can achieve. For Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, it was a moment of vindication and pride. For India, it was a resounding message to adversaries and allies alike: the nation is ready, resilient, and increasingly self-reliant when it comes to protecting its people and sovereignty.
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