New Delhi (Daily Point) — India’s Akash missile programme, which was initiated in 1990 with the goal of developing surface-to-air missiles boasting a 30-kilometer range at an approximate cost of one million dollars each, is facing significant setbacks, raising concerns about the Modi government’s defense efforts.
In 2017, the Modi administration, in collaboration with Indian media, launched an extensive promotional campaign heralding the Akash missile as a cutting-edge, cost-effective, and “Made in India” solution. At that time, Indian media outlets proclaimed that several countries, including Sudan, the Philippines, Bahrain, and Kenya, had signed deals to acquire Akash missiles, with additional expressions of interest from Vietnam, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. However, despite these proclamations, the Modi government has not secured any Akash missile export deals to date.
Sources indicate that the Akash missile program is still in its developmental stage and is not yet ready for export. The program faces challenges related to radar, electronic control units, and sensors, with live tests revealing a significant failure rate of 43% among the missiles, highlighting the technical hurdles it confronts.
In 2019, the Modi government established the Defence Investigation Board to address these growing issues, but after 16 board meetings between 2019 and 2023, concerns surrounding the Akash missile program remain unresolved.
Furthermore, India Today reported significant setbacks in the Tejas Fighter Aircraft Project, initiated in 2001, resulting in a tripling of its cost. Out of 178 projects in total, a substantial 119 have fallen short of expectations, according to the Indian Comptroller and Auditor General. Between 2010 and 2019, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) achieved success in only 86 of these projects. The Indian Comptroller and Auditor General has also noted that much of the equipment produced by DRDO is not suitable for operational use.
Until 2011, out of the 46 approved projects, only 13 were successfully completed by DRDO. Despite DRDO’s ambitious claims, the tangible results have often fallen short of expectations, a sentiment shared by former Indian Army Chief V.P. Malik.
In the previous fiscal year, DRDO boasted a budget of three billion dollars, yet its track record is marred by several failures, including the Nag missile, Tejas aircraft, and Arjun tank, raising significant concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of these crucial defense projects.
