Balasore: India on June 2 test fired the medium range surface-to-air missile Akash from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, according to Defence sources.

The missile was fired from a mobile launcher at about 1.15 pm.

The indigenously developed sophisticated multi-target missile has a range of 25 kms and is one of the five missiles currently under various stages of development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The 650 kg missile has the capability to carry a 50 kg payload and uses the integrated two-stage ramjet propulsion technology.

Defence scientists are also developing the Rajendra radar along with Akash as an air shield system.

The last trial of Akash was conducted from the ITR on May 29 2003.

PTI