DRDO test-fires "Akash Prime Missile"

·         Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test-fired a new variant of Akash surface-to-air missile "Akash Prime" from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.

·         The Akash Prime missile test comes months after the first test-fire of the Akash-NG (new generation) took place in January.

·         The development of Akash SAM was initiated by DRDO in the late 1980s as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

·         Akash is primarily a short-range surface-to-air missile designed to provide air defense cover in sensitive areas.

Important facts

About DRDO

v  Established: 1958

v  Father of DRDO: Avinash Chander