India pushes Akash missile sales to Central Asian states, drawing Russian and Chinese interest
India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced recent sales of the domestically built Akash short-range surface-to-air missile to Central Asian countries, highlighting its low cost and reliability.
The Defence Ministry confirmed that the Akash system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, has been sold to at least one Central Asian nation. Singh described the missile as a "success story" and noted its capability to engage multiple targets while resisting electronic jamming. The system can strike aerial threats from 100 metres up to 20 km altitude and has an operational range of 4.5-25 km. Each missile weighs about 710 kg and uses command guidance. The deal signals India's growing defence footprint in a region traditionally influenced by Russia and China.
Why it matters
The deal expands India's defence market and offers Central Asia a low-cost alternative to Russian and Chinese missile systems.
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