Akash missile fails a routine test flight

India's defense industry experts are investigating the failure of the surface-to-air missile Akash to lift off during a test in which it was to hit a target in flight.

The medium-range Akash was launched from the Integrated Test Range at Balasore in Orissa state to hit a target pulled by a pilot-less Lakshya aircraft flying over the Bay of Bengal, a report by The Hindu newspaper said.

The missile failed to launch from its mobile land launcher and immediately tumbled onto the ground. Five minutes after the first missile's failure, a second missile was launched and hit its target, IBN said.

The flights of the Akash missiles were part of routine post-induction user test, and more similar tests are planned for the missile that was developed for the army and air force by the government's Defense Research and Development Organization.