Cabinet approval for Akash Missile Export

India will start exporting the indigenous Akash missile system as it got an approval for the same from the cabinet. Defence minister Rajnath Singh announced the development on Twitter in a series of tweets. Akash is a Surface to Air Missile with a range of 25 Kms. The missile was inducted in 2014 in IAF and in 2015 in Indian Army.

“Under the #AtmaNirbharBharat, India is growing in its capabilities of manufacturing wide variety of Defence platforms and missiles,” Rajnath Singh said. The Cabinet chaired by PM @narendramodi ji today approved the export of Akash Missile System and a Committee for faster Approvals has been created.” Singh went on to say that the Akash missile system is an important defence asset for the country with over 96 per cent indigenisation. He also noted that the Akash is a surface-to-air missile with a range of 25 kilometres. These are the same missiles that were testfired by India a few weeks ago.

Developed by DRDO, it is India’s first indigenously designed missile system and can target fighter jets, cruise missiles, drones and other aerial assets. “The export version of Akash will be different from System currently deployed with Indian Armed Forces,” Singh added. After its induction in the Services, interest is shown in Akash missile by many friendly countries during International Exhibitions/Def Expo/Aero India. The Cabinet approval will facilitate Indian manufactures to participate in RFI/RFP issued by various countries.