India is canceling yet another twenty year old missile development project that proved too ambitious to work. The 25 kilometers range Akash missile is roughly equivalent to the American Patriot. Many delays, and unreliable performance of the missile system, have caused India to cancel the project. Like the shorter (five kilometers) range Trishul, which was cancelled last month, the Akash has had persistent problems with its fire control system. India will continue testing the prototypes of the Akash that it has, at least into 2004. But foreign missiles are now being examined. A Russian system stands a good chance of being bought, as Russian anti-aircraft missiles possess capable and reliable technology, and are relatively cheap.