Six New Akash Squadrons To Empower IAF

The  Indian Air Force (IAF) have raised six new squadrons of the Akash Air Defence System which is developed by the DRDO, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and private firms.

The top IAF officials were quoted as saying by TOI that IAF already has two operational squadrons of the all-weather, point/area missile system.

"It protects vulnerable points and vulnerable areas with a slant range of 25-30km at altitudes up to 20km. It can destroy high-speed targets like fighter aircraft and UAVs," an official said.

Barring the final action of firing the missile or pressing the 'destroy' key, all major functions are done electronically by the computer running on the weapon system software.

While paperwork for immediate procurement of seven squadrons (14 units) is progressing at the highest level, the IAF is likely to place additional orders for 49 firing units in a phased manner.

The order for the existing two squadrons placed in 2008 is valued at about Rs 1,200 crore.

"An order for six more squadrons worth around Rs 3,500 crore was placed in the late 2010 and the manufacturing of the same is complete and will be delivered this year," a BEL official said.