Balasore (Orissa): India today (Jan 13, 2004) test-fired its medium range surface-to-air missile, Akash, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on sea, about 13 km from Balasore.

The missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher at 11.52 hrs (IST), Defence sources said.

The indigenously built sophisticated multi-target missile, which has the capability to carry a 50 kg payload, hit a moving target.

The 650 kg missile has a range of 25 km and is one of the five missiles currently under various stages of development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The missile uses ramjet propulsion system and is powered by an air-breathing engine.

Its surveillance radar Rajendra was also developed indigenously and could simultaneously keep track of 64 aircraft within a range of 40 to 60 km, the sources said.