India on Friday successfully test-fired indigenously developed interceptor missile, meant to destroy enemy ballistic missiles, at the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha, joining a very few advanced countries who have these ballistic missile
defence capabilities.
A 'hostile' target ballistic missile (modified Prithvi missile) was first launched at 10.10am from ITR at Chandipur, more than 200km east of Bhubaneswar.
After a few minutes, the advanced air defence (AAD) interceptor missile, which was ready to take up at Wheeler Island, 70 km from Chandipur off Odisha coast, was launched from a mobile launcher.
According to ITR director SP Dash, the onboard radio frequency seeker identified the target missile and guided the AAD interceptor missile close to the target missile.
“It hit the target and destroyed it,” Dash said, adding that it was one of the finest missions where the interceptor had hit the incoming ballistice missile directly and destroyed at a 15km altitude.
Dash said India is the fifth nation to have these capabilities in the world.