Former DRDO Chief Samir Kamat Confirms Akash Missile Exports to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan

India has reportedly expanded the overseas footprint of its indigenous Akash air-defence system into Central Asia, with former Defence Research and Development Organisation Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat stating that the missile system has been exported to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The disclosure identifies two additional overseas destinations for one of India’s most successful indigenous surface-to-air missile programmes. Reports citing Kamat’s statement first emerged in July 2026 and received renewed attention in September, with the former DRDO chief naming both Central Asian republics as recipients of the Akash system.

Neither the number of systems supplied nor the contract value, configuration or delivery schedule has been publicly disclosed. The precise Akash variant supplied to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan has also not been identified in the information currently available.

Akash Enters the Central Asian Market

The reported deliveries are significant because they take an Indian-developed air-defence system into Central Asia, a region where Soviet and Russian-origin military equipment has traditionally formed a substantial part of national inventories.

Tajikistan and Turkmenistan joining the Akash customer base would therefore represent more than another defence export order. It would demonstrate the ability of India’s defence industry to supply complete missile-based air-defence systems to countries operating within a very different military equipment ecosystem.

The development also expands the geographical reach of Indian defence exports. While Indian companies have supplied equipment, components, radars, naval systems and other defence products to numerous markets, complete indigenous missile systems represent a much higher level of technology transfer, manufacturing capability and long-term customer support.

India’s Indigenous Air-Defence System

Akash is an indigenous mobile surface-to-air missile system developed by DRDO for defending vulnerable areas and critical points against aerial threats. The system has been inducted into both the Indian Air Force and Indian Army.

According to DRDO, Akash can engage multiple targets in group or autonomous modes and incorporates electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities. The complete weapon system is configured on mobile platforms, allowing its radar, command-and-control elements and missile launchers to operate as an integrated air-defence network.

Production of different elements of the Akash system involves India’s wider defence-industrial ecosystem, with Bharat Dynamics Limited playing the principal role in missile production and Bharat Electronics Limited involved in important radar and electronic components of the weapon system.

Export Clearance Opened the Door

India’s Cabinet approved the export of the Akash missile system in December 2020, establishing the policy framework required for Indian manufacturers to participate in requests for information and procurement competitions issued by foreign governments.

At the time, the government described Akash as a highly indigenous missile system and noted that several friendly countries had expressed interest after seeing the system at international exhibitions, DefExpo and Aero India. The government also clarified that the export configuration could differ from the versions operated by India’s armed forces.

That decision represented an important shift in India’s defence export strategy. Instead of concentrating primarily on components, ammunition and smaller defence products, New Delhi increasingly sought overseas customers for complete domestically developed platforms.

A Significant Step for India’s Missile Export Ambitions

The reported exports to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan indicate that Akash is beginning to develop an international customer base beyond its domestic deployment with the Indian armed forces.

For India’s defence industry, an overseas Akash deployment creates opportunities extending beyond the initial missile sale. A complete air-defence system requires launchers, missiles, surveillance and engagement radars, command systems, communications equipment, training, maintenance infrastructure, spares and long-term technical support.

Successful operation by overseas customers can consequently strengthen India’s prospects in future international air-defence competitions and demonstrate that indigenous Indian missile systems can be supported throughout their operational life cycle.

The Central Asian development is particularly notable because Akash represents a complete Indian-designed combat system rather than a component supplied into another country’s platform. Its reported entry into Tajikistan and Turkmenistan therefore marks another step in India’s transition from a defence importer towards an exporter of sophisticated indigenous weapon systems.

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References

Defence Research and Development Organisation — Akash Weapon System: Official DRDO description confirming induction with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, training of representatives from friendly foreign countries and the flagging off of the first Akash battery/firing unit for export.

Defence Research and Development Organisation — Akash: Official technical overview of the indigenous surface-to-air missile system, including its multiple-target engagement capability, electronic counter-countermeasures and mobile configuration.

Government of India / Ministry of Defence, December 2020: Cabinet approval permitting export of the Akash missile system to friendly foreign countries and establishing a mechanism for faster approval of major defence exports.

Dr Samir V. Kamat statements reported in July and September 2026: Reports citing the former DRDO Chairman as confirming exports of the Akash missile system to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Publicly available information does not disclose quantities, contract values or the specific variant supplied.

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