India successfully tests second stage ballistic missile defence system


Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System on July 24, 2024. The target missile was launched from LC-IV Dhamra at 1620 hrs mimicking an opponent ballistic missile, which was detected by the weapon system radars deployed on land and sea and activated the AD interceptor system.

The Stage-II AD Endo-Atmospheric Missile was launched from LC-III at ITR, Chandipur at 1624 hrs. The flight test fully met all the test objectives validating the complete network centric warfare weapon system consisting of long range sensors, low latency communication system & MCC and advanced interceptor missiles.

The test demonstrated the nation's indigenous capability to defend against 5000 km range ballistic missiles. The performance of the missile was monitored from the flight data captured by range tracking instruments like electro-optical systems, radars and telemetry stations deployed by ITR, Chandipur at various locations including the ship.

The Stage-II AD Endo-Atmospheric Missile is an indigenously developed two-stage solid propelled ground-launched missile system intended to neutralise a variety of enemy ballistic missile threats in the altitude bracket of endo- to low exo-atmospheric regions. The missile system incorporates several state-of-the-art indigenous technologies developed by various DRDO laboratories.

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO for today's successful flight test and said that DRDO has yet again demonstrated ballistic missile defence capability. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated the entire DRDO team for their tireless efforts and contribution in today's successful flight test.

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