Aiming to counter threats from missiles with a range of up to 5,000 km, the Defence Research and Development Organisation or DRDO successfully conducted a flight test of the second phase of Bharat’s ballistic missile defence system off the Odisha coast.
Defence Ministry stated the target missile was launched from LC-IV Dharma in Odisha at 16:20 hours, simulating an adversary ballistic missile. The system’s radars, stationed on land and at sea, detected the missile and activated the interceptor system.
Bharat’s ballistic missile defence programme is being executed in two phases. The first phase has been completed, and the second phase is currently focused on validating intercept systems for a new range category.
The Phase-II ‘AD endo-atmospheric missile’ was launched from LC-III at ITR, Chandipur at 16:24 hrs. This test successfully met all trial objectives, demonstrating the country’s capability to defend against ballistic missiles within the 5,000 km range.
The missile’s performance was monitored using data from range tracking instruments. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO for the successful flight test, highlighting it as a proof to Bharat’s advanced ballistic missile defence capabilities.
In April 2023, DRDO and the Indian Navy conducted the inaugural flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off Odisha, showcasing Bharat’s naval missile defence capabilities.
Bharat has made notable progress in developing both endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric intercept systems, aimed at neutralizing incoming missiles within and outside the atmosphere. These systems are part of a multi-layered defence strategy against ballistic missile threats.
In November 2022, DRDO successfully tested the long-range AD-1 interceptor missile, designed for both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception.
