New Delhi: In a significant advancement for India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System. The test took place on July 24, 2024, and showcased India’s indigenous capability to defend against ballistic missiles of up to 5000 km class.
At 1620 hrs, the Target Missile was launched from LC-IV Dhamra, simulating an adversary ballistic missile. The missile was swiftly detected by weapon system radars deployed on both land and sea, which subsequently activated the Air Defence (AD) Interceptor system. Four minutes later, at 1624 hrs, the Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile was launched from LC-III at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.
The flight test successfully met all trial objectives, validating the complete network-centric warfare weapon system. This system comprises long-range sensors, a low-latency communication system, Mission Control Centre (MCC), and advanced interceptor missiles. The performance of the missile was closely monitored using flight data captured by range tracking instruments such as Electro-Optical Systems, radar, and telemetry stations deployed by ITR Chandipur at various locations, including on-board ships.
The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile is an indigenously developed, two-stage, solid-propelled, ground-launched missile system. It is designed to neutralize a variety of enemy ballistic missile threats within the endo to low exo-atmospheric regions. The missile system incorporates several state-of-the-art indigenous technologies developed by various DRDO laboratories.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh lauded the DRDO for the successful flight test, stating that it demonstrated the nation’s robust ballistic missile defense capability. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr. Samir V Kamat congratulated the entire DRDO team for their relentless efforts and contributions, culminating in the day’s successful test.