Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

India test-fires Akash missile

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 26, IRNA -- India Saturday test-fired the indigenously 
built medium-range surface-to-air missile, Akash, three times from 
the interim test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from Balasore 
in its eastern state of Orissa. 
The three missiles were fired from mobile launchers between 12:02 
pm and 12:11 pm, the Press Trust of India reported. 
Akash has a range of 27 km with an effective ceiling of 15 km and 
was fired with support from the pilotless target aircraft (PTA) known 
as Lakshya. 
This missile, which is a part of India`s Integrate Guided Missile 
Development Program (IGMDP), was also test-fired on Feb 21 and 24. 
It was also successfully put through a trial on Nov 30 while 
carrying a live warhead, an exercise which was conducted by India`s 
defense researchers for the first time with any type of missiles. 
The missile, which has a launch weight of 700 kg, can deliver a 
warhead of 60 kg and operated in conjunction with India`s Rajendra 
surveillance and engagement radar being developed by the Electronic 
Research and Development Establishment (ERDE). 
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