Request for Proposal Issued for Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles Acquisition

( India Defense) Request for Proposal (RFP) for procurement of Akash Weapon System for Army has been issued to a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) in October 2010. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Smt. T Ratna Bai in Rajya Sabha today.

Akash is India's medium range surface-to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL) as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The missile can target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to 18,000 m.

Akash can be fired from both tracked and wheeled platforms. Akash is said to be capable of both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a reported payload of 60 kg. A nuclear warhead could potentially give the missile the capability to destroy both aircraft and warheads from ballistic missiles.

The missile battery is described as being able to track and attack several targets simultaneously.