DRDO successfully test fires interceptor missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday successfully carried out its eighth ballistic interceptor missile test as part of its ballistic missile defence (BMD) programme.

While the 'attacker' missile, a modified surface-to-surface Prithvi, took off from the integrated test range at Chandipur in Orissa, the interceptor missile, launched from Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast, destroyed it at an altitude of 15 km in the 'endo' atmosphere.

The interceptor, part of the advanced air defence (AAD) system, blasted at supersonic speed to intercept and destroy the attacker missile. The modified Prithvi, mimicking an incoming enemy missile, was launched at 12.52 pm and four minutes later, the AAD interceptor, fired from the island about 70 km away, intercepted and destroyed it.

The BMD programme, which aims to protect the country from ballistic missiles launched by enemies from across the land and sea borders, comprises two interceptor missile systems – Prithvi air defence (PAD) for high altitude interception and the AAD for lower level interception.

The first interceptor mission by DRDO happened in November 2006, when the PAD destroyed the missile mimicking an attack missile at a height of 48 km (in the 'exo' atmosphere). Another PAD test was also conducted, besides six (including Friday') AAD tests. The seventh test occurred in February.

According to V KSaraswat, scientific adviser to the defence minister, the success of all these tests have proved that the BMD programme is now ready for deployment. ''India is now in a position to take it on to the next phase of production and induction,'' he added.

The BMD, which will provide two-tiered shield against incoming enemy missiles, can intercept such missiles launched even 5,000 km away. Initially, the BMD aims to provide a missile shield to Delhi and Mumbai; in later phases, it will cover other major Indian cities.

India is just the fourth country in the world – after the US, Russia and Israel – to have developed an anti-ballistic missile system, providing it a defence shield from incoming enemy missiles.