The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of its Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor.
The test, carried out off the Odisha coast, marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to develop a multi-layered missile defence system.
The interceptor, designed to engage and destroy incoming ballistic missiles at altitudes of over 100 km, was launched from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island. The test demonstrated the interceptor’s capabilities to engage high-speed targets with precision.
The Phase-II BMD interceptor is equipped with state-of-the-art guidance systems and advanced avionics, ensuring high accuracy and reliability.
The flight test involved tracking the target missile and guiding the interceptor to engage it in the endo-atmospheric region. According to the DRDO, the interceptor successfully detected, tracked, and neutralized the incoming missile, validating the performance of all systems.
India’s BMD program, initiated in the late 1990s, aims to develop a robust defense shield capable of protecting the country from hostile missile attacks. The program is structured in two phases: Phase-I focuses on intercepting missiles at lower altitudes, while Phase-II aims at neutralizing threats at higher altitudes and longer ranges.
The successful test of the Phase-II interceptor follows a series of trials and validations of Phase-I interceptors, which have demonstrated the ability to intercept missiles at altitudes of 15-30 km. With the successful maiden flight test of the Phase-II interceptor, India moves closer to deploying a comprehensive missile defence system capable of countering a wide range of threats.