KKN Gurugram Desk | On May 10, 2025, India witnessed one of the most extensive aerial attacks by Pakistan in recent history. From Srinagar to Naliya, Pakistan launched coordinated assaults across 26 strategic locations using drones, missiles, and fighter jets. However, India’s indigenous Akash Air Defence System, likened by experts to an “Indian Iron Dome,” intercepted and neutralized these threats with remarkable precision.

The Pakistani offensive involved a range of aerial platforms including Fateh-1 tactical ballistic missiles, JF-17 and F-16 fighter jets, and DJI military-grade drones, yet all failed to breach India’s air shield.

Akash: India’s Indigenous Surface-to-Air Missile Shield

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash Missile System is India’s medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) solution. Since its induction into the Indian Air Force and Army in 2014, Akash has undergone multiple upgrades, with its most advanced version, Akash-NG (Next Generation), officially operational from 2021.

This mobile air-defence system is capable of targeting and eliminating a wide array of aerial threats including fighter aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and even short-range ballistic missiles.

Key Features of the Akash Air Defence System

• Range: 45-70 km (Akash-NG)

• Target Compatibility: Fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles

• Guidance System: Radar-based command guidance and active radar homing

• Warhead Capacity: 60 kg high-explosive payload

• Interception Accuracy: 90-100%

• Mobility: Can be mounted on trucks, tanks, and mobile launchers

• Counter-Electronic Warfare (ECCM): Effective against enemy jamming and interference

• Indigenization Level: Over 96% locally manufactured components

The Akash system’s Make in India roots not only enhance its operational readiness but also reduce dependency on foreign arms procurement.

Successful Combat Deployment During Pakistan’s May Offensive

The recent round of escalations was reportedly Pakistan’s retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, a surgical air strike launched on May 7 targeting nine terrorist hideouts in PoK and Pakistan. These operations were, in turn, a response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed several civilian lives.

Here is a breakdown of Pakistan’s failed aerial campaign and how Akash intercepted critical threats:

May 7–8: Initial Drone and Missile Attacks

Fifteen cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Pathankot were targeted using drones and mid-range missiles. Akash systems, strategically placed across northern India, intercepted multiple incoming threats.

May 9: Fateh-1 Missile Interception

At around 1:40 AM, a Fateh-1 missile was launched towards an Indian Air Force base in Punjab. As the missile entered the Akash-NG’s detection range, it was successfully locked, tracked, and neutralized mid-air.

May 10: Coordinated Air Raid Across 26 Locations

Pakistan deployed JF-17 and F-16 fighter jets, launching attacks from Baramulla to Bhuj. Akash systems deployed in Jammu and Pathankot successfully intercepted a JF-17 jet and damaged an F-16. Other systems downed multiple military drones attempting swarm attacks in areas like Srinagar, Baramulla, and Jaisalmer.

Additionally, Pakistan launched PL-15 AAM and AMRAAM missiles, which were intercepted by Akash units deployed in Rajasthan and Punjab.

Akash: A Multi-Target Interceptor

India became the first country to demonstrate the capability to destroy four aerial threats using a single missile unit. A standard Akash unit houses four ready-to-launch missiles, all capable of targeting distinct threats simultaneously.

This feat, achieved in live military drills last year, showcased India’s rising prowess in multi-layered air defence strategies.

Variants of Akash Missile System

India currently operates three versions of the Akash missile system:

1. Akash Mk-1: Range of 30 km

2. Akash Mk-2: Range of 40 km

3. Akash-NG: Range up to 80 km with altitude coverage of up to 20 km

The Akash-NG variant is equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multifunction radar, giving it the edge to simultaneously track and target multiple hostile aircraft or projectiles.

Speed and Precision: Core Strengths of Akash-NG

With a speed of 2.5 Mach (3,087 km/hr), the Akash-NG ranks among the fastest interceptors in its category. It is equipped with:

• Active Radar Seeker

• Improved propulsion

• Compact mobile launch capabilities

The system weighs 720 kg, has a 19-ft body length, and is capable of carrying a 60-kg warhead. It is fully mobile and can be launched from both tracked and wheeled platforms.

Deployment Along Border Areas and Conflict Zones

Amid tensions with China in 2024, Akash-NG was deployed at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. Additionally, Indian Air Force bases in Tezpur, Jorhat, Pune, Gwalior, and Jalpaiguri currently host multiple Akash batteries, reinforcing India’s air defence grid in strategic sectors.

A Game-Changer in Electronic Warfare

One of Akash’s standout features is its Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) capability. With adversaries increasingly relying on jamming and GPS spoofing, Akash is built to resist electronic interference, ensuring uninterrupted lock and intercept even under hostile electronic environments.

Strategic Implications: Deterrence Through Indigenous Power

The successful use of the Akash system during this escalation sends a strong message: India’s airspace is impenetrable. As geopolitical tensions persist, India’s ability to rely on homegrown defence systems like Akash reflects its technological self-reliance and military readiness.

Moreover, by neutralizing advanced Pakistani aerial platforms like the F-16, JF-17, and Fateh-1, India has demonstrated that cost-effective, indigenous defence systems can outperform imported equivalents under real combat conditions.

As India confronts external threats on multiple fronts, the Akash missile system stands tall as a cornerstone of the country’s layered air defence strategy. Its success in thwarting one of the largest aerial offensives by Pakistan further validates its reputation as the Indian Iron Dome — agile, indigenous, and incredibly lethal.

With continuous upgrades, including better radar, tracking software, and interoperability with other defence systems, Akash-NG is poised to be India’s frontline air shield in the coming decades.