Army's Air Defence Capabilities Along China Border To Get A Boost With New, Stealthier Akash Missiles

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the procurement of improved Akash Weapon System (AWS) for the Indian Army's 3rd and 4th Regiments of Army Air Defence.

The AWS, a short-range surface-to-air missile air defence system, will help plug the air defence gaps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, where the two countries have been locked in a tense military standoff for three years now. The contract, worth over Rs 8,160 crore, includes live missiles and launchers with upgrades, ground support equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure.

To counter aerial threats, two additional regiments of AWS with upgrades are being procured for the Indian Army.

The improved AWS has seeker technology, reduced footprint, and 360° engagement capability, and it has an overall indigenous content of 82 per cent, which will be increased to 93 per cent by 2026-27.

The project is expected to give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole, with around 60 per cent of the project cost being awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, for maintaining the supply chain.