Akash vs Crotale
The Akash and the Crotale are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Akash has a range of 45 km — 3.0x the Crotale's 15 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,284 km/h for the Crotale. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 13 kg for the Crotale. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 95 kg for the Crotale. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the Crotale relies on Radar et infrarouge. The Akash has been produced in 15,500 units vs 6,600 for the Crotale. Unit cost is $0.5M for the Akash vs $12M for the Crotale. The Crotale entered service 38 years before the Akash (1971 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 |
| French surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1971, uses radar and infrared guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Thales |
| Service year | 1971 |
| Number produced | 6,600 units |
| Estimated unit price | $12 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 | 15.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 95 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 13.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.34 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Radar et infrarouge |
| Warhead type | Préfragmentée à gerbe focalisée |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or Crotale?
The Akash has a longer range at 45 km compared to the Crotale's 15 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or Crotale?
The Crotale is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.5 compared to the Akash's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or Crotale?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the Crotale's 13 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or Crotale?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the Crotale's 95 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or Crotale?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the Crotale's 2.34 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and Crotale use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the Crotale uses Radar et infrarouge guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or Crotale?
The Crotale entered service first in 1971, 38 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Akash or Crotale?
The Akash has been produced in greater numbers with 15,500 units compared to 6,600 units of the Crotale.