Akash vs Mistral
The Akash and the Mistral are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The Akash has a range of 45 km — 7.5x the Mistral's 6 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 3,348 km/h for the Mistral. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 3 kg for the Mistral. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 18 kg for the Mistral. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the Mistral relies on Infrared homing. Unit cost is $0.5M for the Akash vs $0.55M for the Mistral. The Mistral entered service 19 years before the Akash (1990 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 1990, uses infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Portable optical-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Matra |
| Service year | 1990 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.6 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 | 6.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.7 ◉ |
| Weight | 18 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 3.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 1.80 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 90 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or Mistral?
The Akash has a longer range at 45 km compared to the Mistral's 6 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or Mistral?
The Mistral is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.7 compared to the Akash's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or Mistral?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the Mistral's 3 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or Mistral?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the Mistral's 18 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or Mistral?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the Mistral's 1.80 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and Mistral use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the Mistral uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or Mistral?
The Mistral entered service first in 1990, 19 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.