DEFENCE

India’s BMD Interceptor Missile Tests

Context: Successful tests have been conducted from the launch site at Chandipur, Odisha, for BMD (Ballistic Missile Defence) missiles—designed to intercept and destroy Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) in mid-air—and for missiles designed to strike and destroy warships.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)

Only the USA, Russia, China, France, India, the UK, North Korea, and Israel possess Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).

These missiles travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere, reenter the atmosphere at high speed, and precisely strike and destroy designated targets.

Significance of the BMD Missile System

Intercepting and destroying ICBMs in mid-air is extremely difficult.
Only the USA, Russia, China, and Israel possess interceptor missiles capable of destroying ICBMs.
India has now joined this group.

Tests Conducted by DRDO

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted tests for a BMD missile capable of intercepting ICBMs in mid-air and an NASM-MR (Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range) missile designed to strike and destroy warships.
All three tests, conducted from the Chandipur launch site in Odisha, were completely successful.
One of these missiles is capable of intercepting and destroying targets outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
The other intercepts and destroys targets after they have re-entered the atmosphere.

It possesses the capability to intercept and destroy hostile missiles.

Inception of the BMD Program

DRDO initiated the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program in 1999 to intercept and destroy Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). Tests have been conducted continuously across various phases.

Swordfish Radar System

- As part of this program, the state-of-the-art ‘Swordfish’ radar was procured from Israel in 2000.
- These radars are now being manufactured indigenously with Israel’s permission.

This system enables the precise detection of enemy missiles within a range of 1,500 to 5,000 km.

AD-1 and AD-2 Interceptor Missiles

As a result of years of research, DRDO has developed BMD interceptor missiles named AD-1 and AD-2.

Using the Swordfish radar and these BMD missiles, enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles can be intercepted and destroyed mid-air.

India’s New Capability

Through recent tests, India has acquired the capability to destroy ICBMs at a range of 5,000 km.

Four-Tier Air Defence

The Air Force is establishing a four-tier air defence shield to thwart enemy fighter jets and missile attacks.
In the first tier of air defence, Israeli-made Python and Derby missiles will be used to destroy enemy drones.
In the second tier, Barak-8 missiles will be used to intercept and destroy enemy short-range missiles.
In the third tier, Russian S-400 missiles will be used to destroy enemy medium-range missiles in mid-air.
In the fourth tier, BMD-class missiles will be used to destroy enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). These missiles will destroy enemy missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere.