India tests surface-to-air missile

Boosting its air defence shield and re-validating operational efficacy, India yesterday successfully test fired its indigenously-developed surface-to- air 'Akash' missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, about 15 km from here.
To re-validate the technology and operational efficacy of the missile, defence forces conducted the trial with logistic support provided by the ITR, official said.
The Akash weapon system was inducted into the armed forces in 2008.
The missile, which has a strike range of 25 km with a warhead of 60 kgs, was test fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-III of the ITR at about 1108 hours, defence sources said.
Akash, an antiaircraft defence system, can simultaneously engage several targets.