New Delhi

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday successfully completed user evaluation trials of the next-generation Akash missile system (Akash-NG), paving the way for its induction into the Indian armed forces, officials said.

The trials demonstrated the system’s high precision and effectiveness against a wide range of aerial threats, including high-speed, low-altitude targets as well as long-range, high-altitude targets.

“User evaluation trials of Akash-NG missile successfully completed today, meeting all PSQR requirements,” the DRDO said in a post on X.

User evaluation trials of Akash NG missile successfully completed today meeting all PSQR requirements. During the trials, the missiles successfully intercepted aerial targets at different range & altitude including the near-boundary-low-altitude and Long Range, high altitude… pic.twitter.com/uLOPprCF6O

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) December 23, 2025

During the trials, the missiles successfully intercepted aerial targets at different ranges and altitudes, including near-boundary, low-altitude scenarios and long-range, high-altitude engagements, it said.

The DRDO described Akash-NG as a potent air defence system, equipped with an indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker and propelled by a solid rocket motor, capable of countering multiple types of aerial threats.

The Ministry of Defence also confirmed the successful completion of the trials, calling it a major step towards strengthening India’s air defence capabilities.

“DRDO successfully completed User Evaluation Trials of the Next-Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces,” the ministry said in a post on X.

It added that Akash-NG is equipped with an indigenous RF seeker, a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and fully homegrown radars and command-and-control (C2) systems, marking a significant boost to India’s self-reliance in defence technology.

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The successful trials are expected to accelerate the process for the missile system’s deployment across the armed forces.