Akash missile program in India is causing worry about the Modi government, and it's a setback for the country's defence efforts.
Akash missile project, started in 1990, aimed to develop surface-to-air missiles with a range of 30 kilometres, each priced at approximately one million dollars.
Back in 2017, the Modi government, in collaboration with the Indian media, embarked on an extensive propaganda campaign proclaiming the Akash missile as a cutting-edge, cost-effective, and "Made in India" solution.
At that time, Indian media outlets claimed that Sudan, the Philippines, Bahrain, and Kenya had inked deals to procure Akash missiles, while Vietnam, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt had expressed their interest in these weapons.
These statements were all part of India's vigorous propaganda drive.
Nevertheless, despite these proclamations, the Modi government has been unable to secure a single Akash missile deal to date.
According to sources, the Akash missile program is still in its developmental stage and not yet ready for export.
Challenges facing the Akash missile program include issues with radar, electronic control units, and sensors, as reported by sources.
Notably, during live tests, a significant 43% of the missiles failed to fire, underscoring the program's technical hurdles.
The Modi government created the Defence Investigation Board in 2019 to deal with the growing problems.
However, even after 16 board meetings between 2019 and 2023, the Akash missile program's concerns remain unresolved.
Moreover, India Today reported that the Tejas Fighter Aircraft Project, initiated in 2001, has encountered substantial setbacks, leading to a tripling of its cost.
Out of a total of 178 projects, a staggering 119 have fallen short of expectations, according to the Indian Comptroller and Auditor General.
Between 2010 and 2019, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) saw success in only 86 of these projects.
The Indian Comptroller and Auditor General has further noted that much of the equipment produced by DRDO is not fit for operational use.
Until 2011, out of the 46 approved projects, only 13 were successfully completed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), as reported by the Indian Comptroller and Auditor General.
Despite DRDO's lofty proclamations, the tangible results have been less than anticipated, a sentiment shared by former Indian Army Chief V.P. Malik.
In the previous fiscal year, DRDO boasted a budget of three billion dollars.
The extensive list of DRDO's failures includes the Nag missile, Tejas aircraft, and Arjun tank, raising concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of these critical defense projects.
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