Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen and Toubro (L&T), on 21 June, jointly delivered the 100th Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) for the Indian Air Force, developed with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The event was flagged off by BHVS Narayana Murthy, the Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems (DG-MSS) of the DRDO at TASL’s Vemagal facility in Karnataka. The event was participated by Bharat Electronics Ltd, Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency, L&T and multiple MSME partners in the programme. TASL has also supplied 49 Akash Launchers earlier to the Indian Army.
Sukaran Singh, the managing director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TASL said, “The successful delivery of the 100th AAFL is a major milestone for TASL and the Indian defence manufacturing sector. It marks the successful establishment of serial production after completing product development. The repeat order of AAFL being executed shows the user’s continued satisfaction and confidence in the operational performance of the indigenously developed and produced AAFL system.”
Jayant Patil, the Whole Time Director (Defence and Smart Technologies) at L&T said, “L&T has remained singularly focused on offering indigenously designed, developed and manufactured defence systems to our armed forces. Delivery of the 100th AAFL system, a major milestone toward the iconic Akash missile programme, epitomises the contribution made by the Indian industry toward the vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.”
He added that this milestone is a testimony to the core strengths and hard work by the Indian industry teaming up in a public-private partnership to deliver a force-multiplying Akash Air Defence system to the Indian Air Force.
The AAFL is a multi-technology weapon launch platform for air defence missiles, jointly developed under the IGMDP Programme of the DRDO by TASL and L&T and produced collaboratively. It comprises a self-powered and fully-automated electro-mechanical launching system mounted on a trailer and towed by a prime-mover. It is a fully ruggedized all-weather day and night system capable of operating in harsh environmental and terrain conditions.
