India successfully tests Ballistic Missile neutraliser 

Missiles are one of the most potent and widely developed weapons in today’s times. As a result, nations worldwide are trying to come up with advanced missile technology to stay ahead in the global missile race. But developing missiles is not enough, countries also need to engineer missile neutralisers to defend themselves. 

Keeping this in mind, India has developed a high-end long-range missile neutraliser called Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor that recently had its trial run. This state-of-the-art BMD interceptor has the capacity to disarm long-range missiles and aircrafts. This was proven through its first successful flight test that was conducted in APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha.  

This maiden flight test was orchestrated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, better known as DRDO, and was part of its Ballistic Missile Defence Programme – Phase II. Its Phase I was conducted in between 2000 and 2010 (to compete with China and Pakistan) and focussed on advanced air defence systems based on the Prithvi Missile. The ongoing second phase however centred on the development of anti-ballistic defence systems like the USA’s Theatre High-Altitude Area Defence System, which has the power to neutralise intermediate-range ballistic missiles.  

According to several sources, India’s cutting-edge BMD interceptor was able to neutralise an AD-1 (Air Defence 1) missile during its test flight. In fact, during the trial run, several BMD weapon system elements were placed in different geographical locations, especially both high and low altitudes. The good news is, the system was able to bring down all these incoming foreign missiles and aircrafts. 

As for the system details, it is a long-range missile interceptor designed for both endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric missions. In addition, it also has two-phase solid motor that is equipped with an indigenously built high-end control system alongside a navigation and guidance algorithm. This will guide the system to swiftly neutralise high-speed targets. Interestingly, during the test run, the system along with all its sub-systems performed as expected and showed great operational flexibility. Important data has also been collected during the test flight using a line of range sensors, such as, radar, telemetry, and electro-optical tracking stations, that will be used to further improve the system.  

Sources also cite that this BMD interceptor itself contains high-power radars that not only collects data but also help protect against potentially harmful adversary missiles or any other form of air attacks.