The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon induct surface-to-air Akash missile, a statement said. Speaking on the sidelines of the 75th anniversary function of IAF, Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said, “We will soon begin the process of inducting the Akash. The user trials have just concluded and we are awaiting the report on this, after which we shall initiate the process of inducting a squadron-strength of the missile.”

Squadron strength means the IAF would initially deploy 16 to 18 batteries of the missile that can engage targets at a height of 25 km.

Development of Akash missile is a part of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) and it has already suffered a big delay as it was earlier programmed to be ready for induction in 2003.

Sources said, the missile can fly at supersonic speed of around 2.5 Mach and can reach an altitude of 18 kms. The missile is supported by multi-target and multi-function phased array fire control radar called 'Rajendra' that has a range of about 60 km.

The IAF completed the final user trials of the Akash earlier this month with the missile successively achieving the target on five occasions spread over 10 days. However, the Air Force chief refused to comment on how many units of the much-delayed missile system would eventually be inducted.

The Air Chief has also revealed and installed the Platinum Jubilee Capsule at the Air Force Museum. The capsule made with stainless steel and platinum contains photographs, newspaper clippings and historical records of special events that occurred in the Platinum year of the Air Force. It also contains digital copies of IAF’s activities covering the past 15 years. The data for the Platinum Jubilee Capsule is stored in digital format as well as in printed copies.