After Sukhois, India deploys Akash missiles in Northeast to tackle China threat

Zee Media Bureau/Deepak Nagpal

New Delhi: Amid growing apprehensions about China`s `real` intentions, India has started deploying squadrons of surface-to-air Akash missiles in the Northeast. As per a report in an English daily published on Friday, six such squadrons are being deployed in the northeastern parts of the country to tackle Chinese jets, helicopters and drones against any misadventure. The government had not very long ago deployed Sukhoi-30MKI fighters at Tezpur and Chabua. The newspaper quoted Defence Ministry sources as saying that the Indian Air Force will soon receive a total of six Akash missile squadrons, which will be deployed in the Northeast. Akash missiles are capable of destroying multiple targets in a 25-km interception range in all-weather conditions. The Akash missile system has been developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation and manufactured by defence PSU Bharat Dynamics. India believes deployment of Akash missile systems would help provide credible deterrence against China, with which the country shares a 4,057-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC).