Akash Prime Successfully Tested by Indian Army at 15,000 Feet in Ladakh, Enhancing High-Altitude Air Defence
In a significant step towards enhancing India's native defence capabilities, the Indian Army conducted a successful high-altitude trial of the Akash Prime surface-to-air missile system in Ladakh, well above 15,000 feet. The test was conducted jointly by the Army Air Defence Corps and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and it has been a major milestone in getting the missile operational in harsh conditions.
As per defence sources, Akash Prime registered two confirmed hits on high-speed aerial targets, demonstrating its precision and reliability in harsh weather and difficult terrain. This trial validated the system's performance in the thin Himalayan air and harsh climate of the Himalayan front, establishing it as a sturdy solution for India's forward-deployed air defence units.
A more developed variant of the original Akash missile, Akash Prime has an advanced seeker to enable better tracking and targeting, designed particularly to target enemy aircraft and drones even in extreme high-altitude conditions. Its deployment is designed to respond to threats along border areas such as the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and LoC (Line of Control), where responsiveness and precision are paramount.
The system had also seen action earlier in Operation Sindoor in May 2025, demonstrating its effectiveness in countering enemy threats from Chinese-origin fighter aircraft and Turkish-origin UAVs deployed by Pakistan. Its effective real-world performance established its value on the battlefield and resulted in greater confidence in its deployment in strategic sectors.
With this successful trial, the Indian Army is likely to accelerate inducting Akash Prime into frontline air defence regiments, strengthening India's multi-layered defence umbrella. The milestone also fits the nation's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, which focuses on self-reliance in the manufacture of defence equipment.
Defence experts opine that with such systems as Akash Prime now testing their mettle in harsh combat environments, India is now more poised than ever before to counter aerial attacks and demonstrate its defence preparedness in geopolitically critical areas.
