#MI2Watch: Akash to be BEL’s star at show; more IAF orders likely

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake 

Bengaluru, Feb 16: Home-grown Akash Missile System (AMS) is all set to storm this year’s Aero India with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) projecting it as the lead product in India’s indigenous march, since Independence. 

BEL is showcasing AMS as the perfect case study to refer to while sharing the advantages of a Make in India concept in aerospace and defence. AMS is the first indigenously-built missile defence system in India. 

Military sources confirm to OneIndia that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to place additional procurement orders on BEL (49 firing units) in a phased manner. The IAF might immediately procure seven squadrons of AMS (consisting of 14 firing units.) The configuration of the seven new squadrons is likely to be similar to those being deployed currently. 

A repeat order from the IAF for six more squadrons of AMS (worth around Rs 3500 crore) came in December 2010 and four squadrons of the same have been already manufactured. All six squadrons will be completed ahead of schedule in 2015.

The Indian Army has already placed an order on Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad, for two regiments of Akash Weapon System. 

* Already commissioned in IAF arsenal 

* Make in India concept’s best example 

* Challenges and lessons for BEL 

* Many trials on different modes 

* DRDO’s role and some names to remember 

* Role of private industry 

* Different Akash versions 

* About AMS 

Read the above report on OneIndia's dedicated Aero India 2015 section:

http://www.oneindia.com/topic/aero-india-2015

(Make in India Watch [#MI2Watch] is a series on OneIndia focusing on the aerospace and defence might of India’s private and domestic industries. It will also aim at capturing the voices of leaders spearheading various projects.)

 

Video of today's Akash missile test-flight

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2,000 Akash missiles for Army; good times for DRDO, BDL

By Anantha Krishnan M. | Aviation Week | March 25 | Bangalore | India |

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the indigenous Akash Missile System (AMS) for service with the Indian army, which plans an initial order worth $3.1 billion.

Dr. Prahlada, chief controller for Aeronautics & Services Interaction at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), tells Aviation Week that the initial Army order will be for two regiments — approximately 2,000 missiles.

“The order also includes ground systems, radars and launchers,” Prahlada says. Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Ltd. [BDL] will be the principal integrator. The company is expected to make 500 missiles per year, and the first batch will roll out by September 2012.

The order for homegrown missiles is “like having home-made food,” Prahlada says. “It will be reliable, cost-effective and fresh. It will be to your taste, readily available with no hassles. There won’t be issues with spares and contracts. We are sure this order [will] augur well for DRDO.”

The Indian military’s combined orders of AMS, including two radars, have a total worth of Rs 23,300 crore ($5.18 billion). The Akash missile systems consist of a launcher, a missile with a 25-30-km (16-19-mi.) range, control center, multifunction fire control radar and supporting ground equipment.

Meanwhile, BDL issued a press release to Hyderabad media on March 25, confirimg the Army order. The release says that the contract is the highest value placed by the Indian Army to date.

Full report in: