Prahlada Ramarao: The man behind India’s Akash missile system
New Delhi, May 13. When India’s indigenous Akash missile defence system successfully completed its first battlefield test along the western border with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, one man couldn’t hold back his emotions.
“My eyes welled up when it worked so well,” The Times of India quoted Prahlada Ramarao, the man widely acknowledged as the architect of the Akash missile system, as saying.
A renowned aerospace engineer and former director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Prahlada Ramarao played a defining role in one of India’s most ambitious defence projects. As the project director, he led a team of over 1,000 scientists for more than 15 years, guiding the Akash missile system from its conceptual stage to battlefield deployment.
The Akash system, a medium-range surface-to-air missile capable of targeting multiple aerial threats, was developed under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), launched in 1984. Of the five missiles under IGMDP, Akash emerged as one of the most complex and technologically demanding. It marked a turning point in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology.
Ramarao’s leadership was instrumental in overcoming a series of technical and logistical hurdles during the program’s long development timeline. From system integration challenges to testing under extreme operational conditions, he steered the team with a clear vision and unwavering commitment. The result was a robust, fully indigenous missile system now deployed by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
The recent successful battlefield deployment of Akash in Operation Sindoor was a powerful validation of the programme’s success. With tensions flaring along the western frontier, the Akash system intercepted multiple aerial threats, demonstrating India’s capability to defend its airspace with homegrown technology. For Ramarao, witnessing this moment was deeply emotional – the culmination of decades of effort by countless scientists, engineers, and support teams.
In recognition of his monumental contribution to India’s strategic defence capabilities, Ramarao was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015. Over the years, he has also been honoured with several other national and scientific accolades, cementing his legacy in India’s defence research ecosystem.
Beyond the technological triumph, Akash symbolises a broader national aspiration – the pursuit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India, particularly in the critical area of defence. Ramarao’s story stands as an inspiring testament to what indigenous innovation, visionary leadership, and sustained teamwork can achieve.
As India continues to expand its missile defence capabilities, the success of the Akash system and the leadership of scientists like Ramarao will serve as enduring milestones in the nation’s journey toward strategic autonomy.
