DRDO's Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System Successfully Tested

In a significant stride towards bolstering India's defense capabilities, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test of its Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system on July 24, 2024. This achievement marks a crucial milestone in the nation's quest for a robust and reliable defense mechanism against potential ballistic missile threats.

The test commenced at 1620 hrs from Launch Complex-IV (LC-IV) at Dhamra, where a target missile was launched to simulate an adversary ballistic missile. The advanced radar systems deployed both on land and sea swiftly detected the missile, triggering the activation of the Air Defence (AD) Interceptor system. Just four minutes later, at 1624 hrs, the Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile was launched from Launch Complex-III (LC-III) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.

This meticulously planned and executed flight test met all the trial objectives, effectively validating the network-centric warfare weapon system. The system comprises long-range sensors, a low-latency communication system, a Mission Control Centre (MCC), and advanced interceptor missiles. The missile's performance was closely monitored through flight data captured by a range of tracking instruments, including Electro-Optical Systems, Radar, and Telemetry Stations, strategically placed at various locations and on-board ships.

The successful test highlights India's indigenous capability to defend against ballistic missiles with ranges up to 5000 kilometers. The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile, an indigenously developed two-stage solid-propelled missile system, is designed to neutralize various types of enemy ballistic missile threats within the endo to low exo-atmospheric regions. This advanced missile system incorporates a multitude of state-of-the-art technologies developed by various DRDO laboratories.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO for this significant achievement, stating that it once again demonstrates India's ballistic missile defense capability. Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, also congratulated the entire DRDO team for their relentless efforts and contributions, which culminated in the success of this flight test.

This successful test of the Phase-II BMD system not only reinforces India's defense preparedness but also showcases the nation's advancements in indigenous technology development. As global security dynamics continue to evolve, such achievements underscore India's commitment to maintaining a robust and self-reliant defense infrastructure.