India carries out test flight of ballistic missile interceptor

The Defence Ministry stated that India carried out a significant test on Wednesday to confirm and demonstrate its ballistic missile defence (BMD) capability to intercept long-range missiles.

A long-range interceptor missile called AD-1 that is intended for low exo- and endo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles and fighter planes was successfully tested for the first time by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), according to officials with knowledge of the situation.

“During the flight test, all the sub-systems performed as per expectations and were validated by the data captured by a number of range sensors including Radar, Telemetry and Electro-Optical Tracking stations deployed to capture the flight data,” the government said in a statement.

According to defence minister Rajnath Singh, the missile, is a “special sort of interceptor” that is outfitted with cutting-edge technology that is only available to a select few nations.

As per the ministry, the AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile that can intercept both long-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at low exo- and endo-atmospheric altitudes.

The missile is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and has an advanced control system, navigation system, and guidance algorithm that were all developed domestically.