Akash vs HQ-61
The Akash and the HQ-61 are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Akash has a range of 45 km — 4.5x the HQ-61's 10 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the HQ-61. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 42 kg for the HQ-61. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 320 kg for the HQ-61. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the HQ-61 relies on Semi-Active Radar Homing. The HQ-61 entered service 8 years before the Akash (2001 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 |
| Chinese surface-to-air missile, entered service in 2001, uses semi-active radar homing guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology |
| Service year | 2001 |
| 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 | 10.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 320 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 42.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 280 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-Active Radar Homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or HQ-61?
The Akash has a longer range at 45 km compared to the HQ-61's 10 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or HQ-61?
The HQ-61 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the Akash's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or HQ-61?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the HQ-61's 42 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or HQ-61?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the HQ-61's 320 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or HQ-61?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the HQ-61's 4.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and HQ-61 use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the HQ-61 uses Semi-Active Radar Homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or HQ-61?
The HQ-61 entered service first in 2001, 8 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.