Unveiling the Unseen: India's Akash Export Programme Expands

India's Akash Export Programme: Unveiling the Unseen

India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh recently announced that Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have become the latest customers of the Akash air defence system. This revelation has revived an older mystery surrounding an Akash missile sighting in Sudan. The announcement has sparked renewed interest in India's Akash export programme, which has been shrouded in secrecy until now.

The Akash system is an indigenous short-range surface-to-air missile system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The system has been exported to several countries, including Armenia, which was previously confirmed as the first foreign operator. However, the recent disclosure has revealed a larger customer list than previously known, including Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The mystery surrounding the Akash missile sighting in Sudan dates back to an earlier sighting of an Akash missile or scale representation at a Sudanese military exhibition. The issue resurfaced in 2023 after India's Ministry of Defence stated that Indian defence exports had included complete weapon systems, although the customers were not all disclosed. Contemporary defence reporting subsequently speculated that Sudan could have been one of the undisclosed destinations.

While India had approved Akash exports from 2020, the government did not always publicly identify the subsequent customers. The recent announcement has shed light on the extent of India's Akash export programme, which has been less known than the actual customer list. For now, Sudan should not be described as a confirmed Akash customer without further evidence from the Indian or Sudanese governments.

The DRDO describes the Akash system as an indigenous short-range surface-to-air missile system, while the government's export policy explicitly permitted an export version different from the configuration operated by India's armed forces. The system has been exported to several countries, including Armenia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The recent disclosure has expanded India's Akash export programme, revealing a larger customer list than previously known.

The Akash export programme has significant implications for India's defence diplomacy and its role in the global defence market. The programme has also raised questions about the extent of India's defence exports and the countries that have acquired the system. As the programme continues to expand, it is likely to have a significant impact on the global defence landscape.

In conclusion, the recent announcement has shed light on the extent of India's Akash export programme, which has been shrouded in secrecy until now. The programme has significant implications for India's defence diplomacy and its role in the global defence market. As the programme continues to expand, it is likely to have a significant impact on the global defence landscape.