India to Begin Shipping Akash-1S Air Defense Missile System to Armenia

NEW DELHI — India is set to commence the delivery of its indigenously developed Akash 1S air defence missile system to Armenia later this year, Indian Defense Research Wing (IDRW) reports.

According to IDRW, the system employs a combination of command guidance and active terminal seeker guidance.

Armenia had placed an order for 15 Akash missile systems in 2022, amounting to a substantial deal worth approximately US$720 million.

Akash is a short-range SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to protect vulnerable areas and points from air attacks. According to the BDL website, the Akash Weapon System (AWS) can simultaneously engage Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode. It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features. The entire weapon system is put atop mobile platforms.

It can effectively engage helicopters, fighter jets, and UAVs flying in the range of 4-25 kilometers. It is fully automatic with quick response time from target detection to kill.

It is highly immune to active and passive jamming. It can be transported swiftly via rail or road and can be deployed quickly. The project has an overall indigenous content of 82 percent, which will be increased to 93 percent by 2026-27.