PM Narendra Modi Hails Defence Scientists For Successful Test Of Missile

NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded the defence scientists for the successful testing of interceptor missile and said it is a proud moment for the entire country.

"Hearty congratulations to our defence scientists for the successful demonstration of ballistic missile defence capability," he tweeted.
"With this, India joins the select group of five nations with such capability- a proud moment for the entire country," he added in another tweet.

India yesterday successfully test-fired an indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile capable of destroying any incoming enemy missile at low altitude.

The interceptor is a 7.5-metre single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile equipped with a navigation system, a high-tech computer and an electromechanical activator, the official said.

"The test launch was conducted in order to validate various parameters of the interceptor in flight mode. It was a low altitude trial," a defence official said.

The interceptor was engaged against a Prithvi missile fired from launch complex 3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur which took the trajectory of a hostile ballistic missile.

In about four minutes, the interceptor positioned at Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal roared through its trajectory to destroy the incoming hostile missile mid-air in an endoatmospheric altitude, the official said.

"The mission was excellent and it was a direct hit," said a scientist of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).

The interceptor missile had its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars, said an official.

In its first test in May last year, the AAD missile was successfully test launched off the Odisha coast.