Akash vs Arrow 3
The Akash and the Arrow 3 are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Arrow 3 has a range of 2,400 km — 53:1 the Akash's 45 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 14,817 km/h for the Arrow 3. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the Arrow 3 relies on Inertial navigation system (INS) gimbaled seeker. Unit cost is $0.5M for the Akash vs $2M for the Arrow 3. The Akash entered service 8 years before the Arrow 3 (2009 vs 2017).
| Indian surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2009, utilizes active radar homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇳 India |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Service year | 2009 |
| Number produced | 15,500 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| Israeli exoatmospheric anti-ballistic missile, entered service in 2017, utilizes inertial navigation with a gimbaled seeker. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Exoatmospheric anti-ballistic missile |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries |
| Service year | 2017 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $2 million |
| Range | 45.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 720 kg |
| Warhead | 60.0 kg |
| Length | 5.78 m |
| Diameter | 350 mm |
| Guidance | Active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High-explosive fragmentation |
| Range | 2,400.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 12.1 ◉ |
| Weight | -- kg |
| Warhead | -- kg |
| Length | NA |
| Diameter | -- mm |
| Guidance | Inertial navigation system (INS) gimbaled seeker |
| Warhead type | Hit-to-kill |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or Arrow 3?
The Arrow 3 has a longer range at 2,400 km compared to the Akash's 45 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or Arrow 3?
The Arrow 3 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 12.1 compared to the Akash's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or Arrow 3?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the Arrow 3's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or Arrow 3?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the Arrow 3's 0 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or Arrow 3?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the Arrow 3's 0.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and Arrow 3 use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the Arrow 3 uses Inertial navigation system (INS) gimbaled seeker guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or Arrow 3?
The Akash entered service first in 2009, 8 years before the Arrow 3 which entered service in 2017.