In a big boost to Air Defence System, India has strongly demonstrated the firepower of its Akash surface-to-air (SAM) weapon system. With a single-firing unit, the Akash weapon system simultaneously engaged and destroyed 4 unmanned targets during recent Air Force Exercise Astrashakti 2023. As per officials, 4 targets coming from same direction in close formation were split to attack their defence assets from multiple directions simultaneously. With this, India has become 1st to demonstrate capability of engaging 4 targets simultaneously at such ranges by command guidance using single firing unit. Notably, Akash has been deployed by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army at key locations to counter threats. The current firing was done from the system, which was ordered in September 2019 as a repeat order from the IAF. The Akash weapon system is also one of the indigenous defence systems that have bagged orders from international customers. Notably, it is also being constantly upgraded by DRDO scientists involved in it and they may get more orders from Southeast Asia and Middle East.