Akash vs QW-1
Overview
The Akash and the QW-1 are both Surface-to-Air missiles.
The Akash has a range of 45 km — 9.0x the QW-1's 5 km. The Akash reaches 3,087 km/h vs 2,160 km/h for the QW-1. The Akash carries a 60 kg warhead vs 1 kg for the QW-1. Launch weight is 720 kg for the Akash vs 16 kg for the QW-1. The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance, while the QW-1 relies on Digital seeker and contact-proximity fuse.
The QW-1 entered service 15 years before the Akash (1994 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 portable surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1994, utilizing a digital seeker for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Portable infrared surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | People's Republic of China |
| Service year | 1994 |
| 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 | 5.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.8 ◉ |
| Weight | 16 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 1.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 1.45 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 80 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Digital seeker and contact-proximity fuse |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Akash or QW-1?
The Akash has a longer range at 45 km compared to the QW-1's 5 km.
Which is faster, the Akash or QW-1?
The Akash is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 compared to the QW-1's Mach 1.8.
Which has a larger warhead, the Akash or QW-1?
The Akash carries a larger warhead at 60 kg compared to the QW-1's 1 kg.
Which is heavier, the Akash or QW-1?
The Akash is heavier at 720 kg compared to the QW-1's 16 kg.
Which is longer, the Akash or QW-1?
The Akash is longer at 5.78 meters compared to the QW-1's 1.45 meters.
What guidance systems do the Akash and QW-1 use?
The Akash uses Active radar homing guidance while the QW-1 uses Digital seeker and contact-proximity fuse guidance.
Which entered service first, the Akash or QW-1?
The QW-1 entered service first in 1994, 15 years before the Akash which entered service in 2009.