Date:21/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/21/stories/2003012102741200.htm

National

Testing Akash's efficacy from mobile launchers

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI JAN. 20. Today's testing of Akash was part of the tests planned by the Defence Research & Development Organisation on all its five missiles during this year in order to accelerate its integrated guided missile development programme.

The second test firing in three days of the Akash, a 25-km-range sophisticated surface-to-air missile, is aimed at ensuring that its induction does not suffer any more delays. The Government had earlier last year confidently predicted the testing and induction of Akash and an even shorter-range Trishul by the end of 2002.

Since Akash is a land-based missile, its testing on mobile launchers is crucial for it to be an effective weapon. The recent tests were aimed at analysing its efficacy from mobile launchers and were unconnected with the developments in the region, said official sources. The missile would be tested a couple of more times to evaluate other parameters before its hoped-for induction gauge by the end of the year, well behind the original objective.

Unlike Pakistan which had bought missiles off-the-shelf and therefore did not have to undertake user trials, India was developing its various missiles from the scratch. This required extensive testing to ensure they conformed to the several parameters expected from precision-guided space vehicles. There was no question of linking the tests with the Government's alleged predicament as has been made out by Islamabad, added the sources.