India successfully flight tests second phase of ballistic missile defense system

India successfully conducted a flight test of the second phase of its ballistic missile defense system on Wednesday, demonstrating its ability to defend itself against enemy missiles with a range of 5,000 kilometers.

The Department of Defense stated that the flight test fully met all test objectives of verifying a complete network-centric warfare weapon system.

The missile was tested at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the successful flight test and said it once again demonstrated India's ballistic missile defense capabilities.

“DRDO successfully conducted a flight test of the second phase of the ballistic missile defense system on July 24,” the Ministry of Defense said.

The target missile was launched at 1620 hours, mimicking an enemy ballistic missile, and was detected by weapon system radars deployed on land and sea, activating interception systems.

“The second stage AD intra-atmospheric missile was launched from LC-III of ITR, Chandipurat at 1624 hours,” the Ministry of Defense said.

The second-stage AD intra-atmospheric missile is a self-developed two-stage solid-propelled ground-launched missile system designed to eliminate the threats of various types of enemy ballistic missiles within the altitude range from the atmosphere to the low outer area.

Exoatmospheric missiles are capable of completing their missions in the uppermost regions of the Earth's atmosphere.

Experts say that intra-atmospheric missiles refer to missiles that operate within the Earth's atmosphere and cover an altitude of less than 100 kilometers.

The Department of Defense stated that the flight test fully achieved all test objectives and verified a complete network-centric warfare weapon system consisting of long-range sensors, low-latency communication systems and advanced interceptor missiles.

“This test demonstrates my country's ability to independently defend against 5,000-kilometer-class ballistic missiles,” the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.

“The performance of the missile is monitored through flight data captured by range tracking instruments including ITR, electro-optical systems, radar and telemetry stations deployed at various locations including shipboard in Chandipur,” the statement read.

India has been developing capabilities to intercept enemy ballistic missiles both within and outside the Earth's atmosphere.

This missile system incorporates several state-of-the-art indigenous technologies developed by various laboratories of DRDO.

(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from United News Agency-PTI)