India's Akash missile system secures new customers in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
India's home-grown Akash short-range air-defence missile has been sold to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, joining Armenia as foreign users.
According to Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, the Akash short-range surface-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, has moved beyond Armenia to secure sales in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Armenia, the first foreign client, purchased multiple battery units, and the recent Central Asian deals mark a broader push for Indian-made air-defence solutions. Singh described Akash as a success story of indigenous technology, capable of countering high-velocity targets and now produced at a stable rate.
The Indian Army and Air Force continue to order more systems, and officials anticipate further international demand. The exports give India a growing defence presence in the region and underscore the maturity of its missile-production capabilities.
Why it matters
The sales show India’s growing ability to market indigenous weapons, boosting its strategic influence and defence industry.
In this story
