Akash vs Kh-59
The Akash and the Kh-59 are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Kh-59 has a range of 290 km — 6.4x the Akash's 45 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 980 km/h for the Kh-59. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 320 kg for the Kh-59. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 930 kg for the Kh-59. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the Kh-59 relies on Inertial, TV, active radar homing. The Kh-59 entered service 29 years before the Akash (1980 vs 2009).
| 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 |
| Russian air-to-surface missile, entered service in 1980, utilizing TV and active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Tactical Missiles Corporation |
| Service year | 1980 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| 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 | 290.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 980 km/h ◉ |
| Weight | 930 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 320.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.85 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 420 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial, TV, active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or Kh-59?
The Kh-59 has a longer range at 290 km compared to the Akash's 45 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or Kh-59?
The Akash is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 compared to the Kh-59's 980 km/h.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or Kh-59?
The Kh-59 carries a larger warhead at 320 kg compared to the Akash's 60 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or Kh-59?
The Kh-59 is heavier at 930 kg compared to the Akash's 720 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or Kh-59?
The Kh-59 is longer at 5.85 meters compared to the Akash's 5.78 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and Kh-59 use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the Kh-59 uses Inertial, TV, active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or Kh-59?
The Kh-59 entered service first in 1980, 29 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.