Delivering The 100th Missile Launcher For The IAF’s Akash Project Is Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen And Toubro

On Tuesday, the 100th Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL), created with the Defense Research and Development Organization, was jointly delivered by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) (DRDO).

At TASL’s Vemagal site in Karnataka, the ceremony was officially opened by BHVS Narayana Murthy, Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems (DG-MSS) of the DRDO.

Bharat Electronics Ltd., Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency, L&T, and several MSME partners in the programme all took part in the event. Additionally, 49 Akash Launchers were previously provided by TASL to the Indian Army.

The successful delivery of the 100th AAFL is a significant milestone for TASL and the Indian defence manufacturing industry, according to Sukaran Singh, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of TASL.

After product development is complete, it signifies the commencement of serial manufacturing with success. The user’s continuous pleasure and confidence in the operating performance of the locally developed and built AAFL system is demonstrated by the repeat order of AAFL being executed.

“L&T has stayed completely focused on providing indigenously designed, developed, and produced defence technologies to our armed services,” stated Jayant Patil, Whole Time Director (Defence and Smart Technologies) at L&T.

The legendary Akash missile programme has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of the 100th AAFL system, which exemplifies the commitment of the Indian industry to the goal of a “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

He continued by saying that this accomplishment is a testament to the fundamental qualities and toil displayed by the Indian industry as it collaborated in a public-private partnership to provide the Indian Air Force with a force-multiplying Akash Air Defence system.

The AAFL is a multi-technology weapon launch platform for air defence missiles that TASL and L&T jointly designed and constructed under the DRDO’s IGMDP Program.

It consists of an electromechanical launching system that is self-powered, fully automated, placed on a trailer, and is pulled by a prime mover. It is an entirely weather-resistant, day-and-night system that can function in challenging climatic and topographical circumstances.