News Excerpt:

India became the first country to demonstrate the capability of engaging four aerial targets simultaneously at 25 km ranges by command guidance using a single firing unit.

About Akash Weapon System (AWS):

The AWS is a Short Range Surface Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System. The Akash Weapon System is indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by defence public sector units along with other industries.

• AKASH Weapon System can simultaneously engage Multiple Targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode. 

• It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features. 

• AKASH Weapon Systems has been inducted and is operational with the Indian Air Force (IAF) as well as the Indian Army (IA).

Features: 

• Fully automatic with quick response time from target detection to kill.

• Open system architecture ensures adaptability to existing and futuristic Air Defence environments.

• High immunity against active and passive jamming.

• Secured mode of communication between combat elements.

• Self-sufficient in electrical power with in-built power sources.

• It is road and rail transportable with quick mobilization and deployment capabilities.

Demonstration of Akash Missile system:

• The demonstration was conducted by the IAF during Astrashakti 2023 at Suryalanka Air Force Station on December 12.

• Astrashakti means the power of weapons.

• Two Akash missiles were launched from two launchers and the same launcher was assigned to the next two targets. A total of four missiles were launched within a short span and all four targets were successfully engaged at maximum range (around 30 km) simultaneously.

Importance:

• According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has been the world's largest arms importer since 1993. 

• Russia was the largest supplier of arms to India in the last five years, providing 45% of its needs, followed by France (29%) and the US (11%).

• India is focussing on promoting its exports in the defence sector.

• In 2022, India clinched a deal with the Philippines to export Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles. 

•  The successful demonstration of the Akash missile system would add to India's weapon-export initiatives. 

India's weapon-export Initiatives:

About 50 Indian companies in the private sector have contributed to defence exports. Some of the major export destinations for defence products have been Italy, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Nepal, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Israel, Egypt, UAE, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Poland, Spain and Chile etc. 

• India's defence exports have reached an all-time high, surging from Rs. 686 Crore in FY 2013-14 to nearly Rs. 16,000 Crore in FY 2022-23. This remarkable 23-fold increase reflects India's progress in the global defence manufacturing sector. 

• It had touched Rs 15,918 crore in FY23, Rs 12,815 crore in FY22 and Rs 8,435 crore in FY21. It has risen for two years in a row, barring FY23.

• The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives have helped the country by encouraging indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country, thereby reducing dependency on imports in the long run. 

• • The expenditure on defence procurement from foreign sources has reduced from 46% of overall expenditure in 2018-19 to 36.7% in December 2022.

Conclusion:

This missile system is among the key platforms that India is exporting to friendly foreign countries. In recent years, India has made consistent efforts to turn the tide by pushing weapon exports of India-made weapons. India's defence production achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 1 trillion rupees ($12 billion) in FY23, marking a year-on-year growth of over 12%. This record-breaking achievement is noteworthy as India has been actively striving to reduce its dependency on imports from foreign nations.