aircraft, in its maiden flight. Akash Prime is based on the existing Akash SAM. The missile is equipped with an improved active radio-frequency (RF) seeker to further increase the accuracy. Akash Prime is also optimized for low temperature and high altitude operations with modified ground system. Akash-NG A successor missile with a new design Akash - New generation abbreviated as Akash-NG was approved in September 2016 with a funding of to succeed Akash and Akash-1S with improved capabilities. Akash-NG will have an improved reaction time and higher level of protection against saturation attacks. The second stage uses dual-pulse solid rocket motor which is lighter instead of air-breathing solid ramjet engine to increase the overall range from current 40 km to 70 km, an active electronically scanned array Multi-Function Radar (MFR) and optical proximity fuze. Status Each missile is expected to have starting costs below US$500,000 i.e. under ₹2 crore which is less than half the cost of similar Western missiles which usually cost between US$1.2-1.5 million (₹5-6 crore) each. It is expected that this cost will further decrease due to the economies of scale achieved as production ramps up. The Indian military (IAF & IA) have a combined order worth ₹23,300 crore ($5.18 billion). On 24 May 2012, India successfully test fired Akash missile to revalidate technology and operational efficacy. On 1 June 2012, the Air Force version of the missile with a strike range of 25 km was successfully test fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. On 3 August 2014 Akash missile test-fired from launch complex-3 of ITR at Chandipur off Odisha coast, Describing the trials as "fully successful", Director ITR said . The Air Force version has already been inducted while the Army version is in the final stage of its trial. The Army version was inducted on 5 May 2015, as was tweeted by MoD Spokesman. On 16 March 2016, Director of Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), said that India is looking to double missile production to 100 per month, up from 50 to 60. Indian Air Force In December 2007, the Indian Air Force completed user trials for this missile. The trials, which were spread over ten days, were declared successful after the missile hit the target on five occasions. Multiple targets handling capability of Akash weapon system was demonstrated by live firing in C4I environment. Before the ten-day trial at Chandipur, ECCM