FDAJB visits Akash Missile System unit: BEL says IAF will get first Akash squadron next month

The Batch-1 from the Forum of Defense and Aerospace Journalists, Bangalore (FDAJB), had a facility visit to BEL's Radar SBU in Bangalore on November 2. The FDAJB members was shown various features of the Akash Missile System. In the  last photo, FDAJB members in front of the Russian Schilka tank, which is now being upgraded by BEL. (A report on the same will go live in Aviation Week today). Photography from close range was prohibited inside the high-sensitive Akash facility. Photos: Bhaktar Babu, Bangalore Beat

| By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Bangalore |  India | December 2, 2010 |

The Indian Air Force (IAF) soon will form its first squadron of the homegrown tactical Akash Missile System (AMS) at Gwalior Air Base. Bharat Electronics Ltd., the principal integrator for AMS, will hand over the first squadron next month. The IAF is expected to operate the system with the Mirage 2000. P.C. Jain, BEL’s general manager of Defense Radars, says his company has firm orders for two AMS squadrons of 48 missiles worth Rs 1,221 crore ($269.5 million). Jain spoke Dec. 2 at the Forum of Defense and Aerospace Journalists of Bangalore.  BEL hopes to win additional AMS contracts from the IAF and the Indian Army.

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Podium finish for DRDO again! DAC clears induction of Rs 12,500 crore Akash missile systems for Indian Army; combined order for home-grown tactical weapon systems totals to Rs 23,300 crore; big boost for Indian R&D & industries

The combined order for Akash missile systems, worth Rs 23,300 crore, is seen as a major victory for India's indigenous R&D efforts. In addition to wealth generation within the country, these orders will also create more jobs and help industry to enhance the tech know-how. Finally, it will put an end to India's over-dependence on imported weapon systems. (Photo: t-arch-2010) 
By Anantha Krishnan M. | Aviation Week

Bangalore, India | June 09, 2010

The Army version of the Akash missile system, valued at Rs 12,500 crore ($2.8 billion), has been cleared for induction by India’s Defense Acquisition Council (DAC). The India military services’ combined orders of the Defense Research and Development Organization-developed Akash, including two radars, have a total worth of Rs 23,300 crore. This is an unprecedented defense order for a DRDO-developed weapons system, and the biggest order ever for DRDO’s tactical missile and radar systems. The June 8 DAC meeting was chaired by Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony. Others in attendance included the service chiefs, Secretary Defense, Secretary Defense Production, Secretary Defense Finance, Director General of Acquisition, DRDO Chief, and the Chief of Integrated Defense Staff (CIDS). A senior Ministry of Defense (MoD) official told AVIATION WEEK that Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will be the system integrator and nodal production agency for the Akash Army variant. DAC had earlier cleared an Akash order worth Rs 6,500 for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) as its system integrator.

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