India test fires interceptor missile off the Odisha coast

Balasore: India on Saturday successfully test-fired its interceptor missile off the Odisha coast, achieving a significant milestone in the direction of developing a two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence system.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested the exo-atmospheric missile interception as part of the ballistic missile defence programme, sources informed.

This mission, termed as “PDV mission is for engaging the targets in the exo-atmosphere region at an altitude above 50 km of earth’s atmosphere”, said Defence sources.

It successfully test fired its first home-grown Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile from Launch Pad No 4 of the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha, achieving a significant milestone in the direction of developing a two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence system

At 7.45 a.m., on the east coast of India, an incoming missile was successfully intercepted at a height of 100 kms with a direct hit by an interceptor missile, said a top DRDO official.

The interceptor is based on the nuclear-capable Prithvi Missile.