Advanced Air Defence Interceptor Missile Test-Fired From APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha
In a major breakthrough for Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India today tested the indigenous built Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile.
Bhubaneshwar, August 2: In a major breakthrough for Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India today tested the indigenous built Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile. The advanced missile system is test fired from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Bhadrak district of Odisha. The missile system is being developed as a part of the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system which will be capable of shooting down enemy missiles at the height of 20 to 40 kilometres. The single stage solid rocket-propelled interceptor missile hit an incoming dummy ‘enemy’ missile at an altitude of 40 kilometres.
The AAD is capable of shooting down incoming enemy missiles in endo atmospheric region. It was the fifth test of the interceptor. The first four test firings took place on March 1, 2017, February 11, 2017, December 28, 2017, and July 14, 2018 respectively. During the test, target missile, Prithvi was launched from launch complex 3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
India is building a two-layered BMD shield to protect its important cities. Countries like, The United States, Russia and Israel also have this type of technology. Apart from this missile system, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has also approved the purchase of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II) from the US. The entire deal would be worth $1 billion.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2018 03:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).