Latest news with #PrahladaRamarao
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
'Confirmed Kill': Watch Akash's New Variant Destroy Aerial Targets In Ladakh
At 15,000 feet in Ladakh, the Army achieved a significant milestone with the Akash surface-to-air missile. The new variant of the system - Akash Prime - scored two confirmed kills during a test run. Akash Prime is a new variant of the Akash Mark 1 and Mark-1s, the systems that saw action during Operation Sindoor in May this year. The Prime variant destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets. The test marked the first such trial of Akash Prime at high altitudes. Akash Prime will form the third and fourth regiments of Akash missiles in the Army. The weapon system has been modified to in altitudes above 4,500 metres and has the latest upgrades, including an indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker which beams out at radio signals, uses them during its terminal phase to track and destroy targets. India has achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying 2 Aerial High Speed Unmanned targets at high altitude in Ladakh Sector on 16th July by Akash Prime, which is the upgraded variant of Akash Weapon System for the Indian Army. — रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 17, 2025 Akash is a surface-to-air missile system with a range of 20 km. Dr Prahlada Ramarao, a former DRDO scientist, played a key role in developing the missile 15 years ago. Its short range offers protection from aerial threats. It has built-in electronic countermeasures, and the entire system has been configured on mobile platforms, making it a highly manoeuvrable and potent addition to the military. Read more: "Happiest Day...": The Man Behind Akash System That Stopped Pak Missiles Each launcher carries three missiles, which operate in a 'fire and forget' mode. These missiles are approximately 20 feet long and weigh 710 kg. Each missile carries a 60kg warhead. The system is also fully automatic and has real-time, multi-sensor data processing and threat evaluation capabilities, and works rapidly from acquiring, identifying, and neutralising targets. The weapons system developed by DRDO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor by being part of India's multi-layered air defence system that thwarted Pakistan's attempt to target Indian cities and defence establishments. India deployed its India's Integrated Air Command and Control System - An automated system that integrates data from forces to combat aerial threats. The multi-layered air defence system, as explained through a diagram, shows Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), ack-ack air defence guns like the L70, ZSU 23 Shilka, Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) forming the inner layer of air defence for very-short range aerial targets like low-flying drones. This is followed by the second layer, which includes point defence systems that protect a specific area or an asset, short-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) like Spyder, Pechora, and OSA-AK. The third layer is formed by the medium-range SAMs like Akash and the Indo-Israeli MRSAM, and the outer layer for area-defence is done by long-range SAMs like the S-400 and the fighter jets. Lt General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations, used a cricket analogy to stress that it was India's multi-layered counter-drone and air defence grid that acted as a shield against Pakistan air attacks, where he talked about the Ashes series of the 1970s, when two Australian fast-bowlers Jeff Thompson and Dennis Lillee were the Australian defence against the English batting line-up, quoting an iconic line, "Ashes to Ashes. Dust to dust. If Lillee don't get you, Thommo must..." to explain India's integrated air defence which includes the Akashteer system.
News18
14-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Who Is Dr Ramarao? Why Is Internet Talking About This Kannadiga Amid Iran-Israel War?
Last Updated: On Friday, Israeli forces targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites as part of 'Operation Rising Lion'. Iran and Israel, the two regional foes, are locked in a bitter battle, with both launching airstrikes at each other in the last 24 hours. Tensions rose after Israeli forces targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites as part of 'Operation Rising Lion' on Friday. In retaliation, Iran launched an attack against its enemy on Friday night. Amid the Iran-Israel conflict, one name that is grabbing headlines is Dr Prahlada Ramarao, the Kannadiga behind India's indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile system. The missile system that stood as the country's first line of defence tracked 616 targets, including 64 simultaneous ones, with a remarkable 99% neutralisation rate, during the most recent episode of India-Pakistan border tensions. In a post on X, Anand Ranganathan wrote, 'Thoughts tonight with Israel, and also Dr Ramarao, the man who on a shoestring budget built our indigenous ADS Akash." His post came weeks after the indigenously developed Akash missile system played a critical role in thwarting Pakistan's sustained aerial attacks in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. Thoughts tonight with Israel, and also Dr Ramarao, the man who on a shoestring budget built our indigenous ADS Akash that tracked 616 Pak missiles and drones (64 simultaneously) before launching interceptor missiles against them achieving an overall neutralisation rate of 99 %.— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) June 13, 2025 As soon as the post was shared, many users flocked to the comments section to express their views. 'Incredible feat by Dr. Ramarao and the Akash system, protecting lives with precision on a modest budget—true brilliance," read a comment. Who is Dr Prahlada Ramarao? Dr Prahlada Ramarao is a Kannadiga scientist whose work with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) influenced India's missile defence capabilities. His involvement with the Akash missile began during the early years of India's missile development activities. India's 'Missile Man' and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam appointed Ramarao as the Akash programme's youngest project director. The Akash missile is a critical component of India's air defence system. Produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and developed by DRDO, it has progressed over time to include the advanced Akash-NG model. With a range of up to 80 kilometres and top speeds of 2,500 kilometres per hour, the newest version can lock onto 64 targets and unleash 12 missiles at the same time. The Former DRDO scientist recently shared insights into the crucial moments and challenges during the missile's development. Speaking with ANI, he said, 'Despite the challenges, the entire team's dedication and the relentless support of Dr Kalam kept the project on track."
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Man behind India's Akash missile system on ‘Op Sindoor', what Army wanted & the challenges ahead
Join us for an exclusive interview with Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, the visionary scientist behind India's Akash missile defence system. Discover how Dr. Ramarao, mentored by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, led a team of over 1,000 scientists to create this groundbreaking technology. Hear about the challenges, breakthroughs, and the Akash system's crucial role in strengthening India's security. This is a rare insight into the dedication, innovation, and leadership that made Akash possible. Don't miss this inspiring conversation - like, share, and subscribe for more stories of Indian scientific excellence!
New Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Prahlada Ramarao: Proud father of Akash air defence
It was a deeply emotional moment for 78-year-old former aerospace engineer, missile designer and ex-Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist, Prahlada Ramarao. He was watching the highly impressive combat performance of the baby he had nurtured, which was protecting assets of India from incoming Pakistani drones and missiles between May 7 and 10, as 'Operation Sindoor' rolled on. It was the indigenous missile air defence, Akash, a result of his sustained efforts for several years of his career spanning 44 years from 1971 till 2015. Tears welled up. He was speechless. It was a moment of pride and joy… and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. The Akash medium range surface-to-air missile system, with a range of about 30 km and an operational altitude ceiling of 18 km, can simultaneously engage multiple incoming targets, and is operational with the Indian Air Force and the Army. It provides air defence against multiple, simultaneous air threats to vulnerable forces or areas. The system has cutting-edge features, including real-time multi-sensor data processing and threat evaluation, which enables simultaneous engagement of multiple targets from any direction. The entire system is flexible, configured on mobile platforms, upscalable and can be operated in group and autonomous modes, employing command guidance and relying on phased array guidance radar to guide the missile till it intercepts incoming targets.
News18
15-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘I Couldn't Speak': When Prahlada Ramarao Saw His ‘Baby' Akash Rule The Skies And Pakistan
Last Updated: He built it over decades. During Operation Sindoor, it delivered. Former DRDO scientist Prahlada Ramarao tells CNN-News18 what it meant to see his 'baby' Akash defend India In the wake of Operation Sindoor — India's calibrated military response to one of the deadliest terror attacks in Kashmir — Akash, the country's homegrown surface-to-air missile system, has taken centre stage in national security. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18's Rahul Shivshankar, Dr Prahlada Ramarao — Padma Shri awardee, former DRDO scientist, and the man who led the development of India's Akash missile system — opened up about the emotional and strategic significance of seeing his missile defend the nation in real-time conflict. When asked how it felt to see Akash deployed in an actual conflict zone, Dr Ramarao became visibly emotional. He recalled the moment he first heard that Akash had successfully intercepted enemy threats. 'I couldn't even speak," he admitted. 'My wife told me it had worked, and the first person I remembered was Dr Kalam." Personally chosen by India's 'Missile Man' Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in the early 1990s, Ramarao was appointed the youngest project director at just 35 to lead the Akash programme — a responsibility that would come to define his life's work. #AkashMissile | The science behind is the propulsion of the missile. We had to develop the ramjet propulsion system for the missile: Dr Prahlada Ramarao – Former DRDO Scientist (Creator of Akash Missile) #IndiaPakistan #AkashMissileDefenceSystem #TheHardFacts | @RShivshankar — News18 (@CNNnews18) May 14, 2025 Having spent over 15 years building the missile system from the ground up, he said Akash was like his own child — 'my baby" — and watching it succeed in battle was a moment of overwhelming pride. Akash's performance in Operation Sindoor — India's calibrated and strategic military response to the Pahalgam terror attack — marked a significant milestone not just for DRDO, but for India's evolving defence doctrine. Relying on stand-off precision weaponry, Indian forces were able to neutralise terrorist infrastructure without physically crossing the Line of Control or international boundary. Akash was central to this effort. Developed as a short-range surface-to-air missile (SRSAM), the system is designed to protect vulnerable areas and assets from aerial attacks. Configured entirely on mobile platforms, Akash can engage multiple targets in both autonomous and group modes, and features electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) to neutralise jamming attempts. During Operation Sindoor, it operated alongside other platforms like Pechora, OSA-AK, and LLAD guns — together creating a layered defensive grid that proved essential in countering asymmetric threats including drone swarms and low-flying missiles. Reflecting on the journey from blueprint to battlefield, Dr Ramarao explained that while most missile systems are developed by scaling existing technology into deployable products, the Akash system demanded a more fundamental, scientific approach. There were two major breakthroughs involved. First, India had to develop a phased array radar — something that did not exist in the country at the time. The result was the Rajendra radar system, designed using complex microwave and RF engineering, digital electronics, and microelectronics. The second challenge was even greater: building a ramjet propulsion system that would allow Akash to maintain supersonic speeds till impact. At the time, only one other country in the world had such a capability. The propulsion system required deep expertise in propellant chemistry and high-speed aerodynamics, which India had to develop from scratch. On whether the Indian military was always confident about the missile's capabilities, Dr Ramarao clarified that while there wasn't resistance, there was some initial apprehension from both the Army and the Air Force. Their concerns, he said, centred around whether Akash could truly deliver the kind of target tracking accuracy and kill probability that modern warfare demands. 'They asked whether we could maintain a 99 per cent success rate at 25 kilometres," he said. 'We demonstrated that we could." He also recalled the pressure of leading the Akash project at just 35. He said the early years were filled with anxiety, but he was fortunate to lead a group of scientists spread across five DRDO laboratories who shared his passion and sense of mission. Together, they refined everything — from warhead lethality and radar signal integrity to fragment dispersion and impact pressure. 'We found the perfect recipe," he said. 'The credit belongs to the entire team." One of the most remarkable aspects of the Akash project was its budget. India managed to develop the missile system with one-tenth the funding typically required for similar projects in Western countries. Dr Ramarao said this was possible because of India's inherently frugal innovation model. 'Manpower, services — all are lower cost here. But our brainpower is no less," he said. 'We had limited resources. But we delivered." Despite the odds, Akash was not only completed but successfully inducted into India's defence architecture — and now stands as one of the key deterrents against airborne threats. Reflecting on the journey, Dr Ramarao said that for him, Akash is more than a missile. 'It is our collective resolve cast in steel," he said. 'Every time it flies, it represents the dreams and determination of a billion Indians." In a security environment increasingly shaped by technology, precision, and self-reliance, the story of Akash — and the visionary who built it — stands as a powerful reminder of what India can achieve when science, leadership, and national will converge. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : akash DRDO Operation Sindoor Surface to Air Missile Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 15, 2025, 14:27 IST News india 'I Couldn't Speak': When Prahlada Ramarao Saw His 'Baby' Akash Rule The Skies And Pakistan
