Interceptor Missile, Part Of India’s Shield Against Incoming Missile Threats, Successfully Test-Fired

India has test-fired its indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming ballistic missile.

Three successful tests of the missile were carried out last year. In the last test, conducted in December, an incoming ballistic missile target was successfully intercepted within 30 km altitude of the earth's atmosphere. The two other tests is 2017 were conducted in March and February.

The missile is being developed as part the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, which can intercept medium-range ballistic missiles travelling at speeds of Mach 3 to 8. Israel, Russia, and the United States are the only three countries to have successfully developed an indigenous ballistic missile defense system.

The missile tested today constitutes the second tier defense against incoming enemy ballistic missiles in the two-tier BMD system.

The test was carried out from Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.