The Indian Air Force has given the go ahead for induction of the indigenous surface-to-air Akash missile.

To start with, a squadron of these missiles, comprising 16 launchers would be inducted into the force, in what could be a happy new year tidings for the missile scientists, after repeated rejections by IAF experts earlier, according to Air Chief Fali Homi Major.

The IAF decision comes after a recent string of successful trials of the missile undertaken at the country's interim test range at Balasore in Orissa.

The missile has already suffered a massive slippage as it was earlier scheduled to be ready for induction in 2003.

"The trials of the Akash missile have gone pretty well. We will get a squadron of these missiles once the trials are over," Major told newsperson on the sidelines of a function in Delhi, where he also outlined that IAF was acquiring more advanced radars for a "gap free" coverage of the country's vulnerable areas like the southern peninsula.

He also said that the IAF had undertaken joint exercises in the region to test reaction to threats from the sea as well as to finetune synergy for increasing civil air traffic in the region.

"We just carried out an exercises in the southern peninsula to activate forces in the area and ensure integration of all air defence assets in the area," he said.