ASTRASHAKTI 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, India showcased the potency of the indigenous Akash missile system in the 'Astrashakti 2023' exercise.

Astrashakti 2023

• Exercise: The air force exercise takes place at the Suryalanka Air Force Station in Andhra Pradesh.
• Objective: To serve as a platform for showcasing the advanced capabilities of indigenous weapon systems.

o To underscore India's commitment to exporting its domestically developed weapon systems to the global market.

• SAMAR Demonstration: SAMAR air defence missile's successful firing trials, known as SAMAR, are demonstrated during the exercise.
• Akash Weapon System Display: A single firing unit of the Akash weapon system engages and destroys four unmanned aerial targets simultaneously, demonstrating its capabilities.
• Firing Level Radar: FLR is responsible for detecting and tracking the target.
• Firing Control Centre: Processes the information related to the engaged targets.
• Akash Air Force Launcher: AAFL, equipped with five armed missiles, launches the first two Akash missiles at the initial targets. The same launcher is then assigned for the next two targets.

SAMAR (Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation)

• About: Developed by a unit under IAF's Maintenance Command, it is an air defense system.
• The system features a twin turret launch platform capable of launching 2 missiles in both single and salvo modes.
• It possesses the ability to engage aerial threats using missiles that operate at a speed range of 2 to 2.5 Mach.