India Successfully Tests Akash Prime Missile in Ladakh
New Delhi: India achieved a significant milestone in its defense capabilities on July 16, 2025, with the successful trial of the Akash Prime missile at high-altitude in Ladakh. The upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System, designed for the Indian Army, successfully destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets.
The Akash Prime missile is customized to operate in altitudes above 4,500 meters and features the latest upgrades, including an indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker. The weapon system has been designed to improve operational effectiveness based on user feedback.
The trials, conducted as part of the First of Production Model firing trial, were successfully validated by Army Air Defence and DRDO, in conjunction with Defence PSUs such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, and other industry partners. This achievement will enable timely induction and enhance the air defense potential in high-altitude frontiers of the country.
The success of the Akash Prime missile trial marks a major step forward for India’s missile development programs, which are gaining increasing attention in the global defense market. The achievement is particularly significant following the exceptional performance of India’s indigenously developed air defense systems during Operation Sindoor.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Army, DRDO, and the industry on this remarkable achievement, describing it as a significant boost to India’s air defense capabilities. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the successful test, stating that the missile has met the country’s critical air defense requirements for high-altitude.
