Akash Air Defence System: Indigenous Capability and Defence Exports
8 October 2026
PRERNA FOR IAS
Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari
Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath
Akash Air Defence System: Indigenous Capability and Defence Exports
Context: On 1 October 2026, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that India’s indigenous Akash air-defence system has been exported to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, following Armenia, its first overseas customer. The disclosure marks an important expansion of India’s defence exports into Central Asia.
1. Historical Background: Akash originated under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) launched in the 1980s. Developed by DRDO, it became India’s first indigenously developed tactical surface-to-air missile system to be inducted into both the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. DRDO
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India exports Akash air defence system to Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Armenia. Explore indigenous SAM capability, DRDO development, and strategic defence partnerships in Central Asia.
Keywords
Akash air defencesurface-to-air missiledefence exportsDRDOAtmanirbhar BharatCentral AsiaArmenia Tajikistanindigenous capabilitydefence partnershipsSAM system