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DRDO conducts maiden flight-test of phase-II ballistic missile defense interceptor

Published: 3rd Nov, 2022

Context

India has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor AD-1 missile.

About

About AD (Air Defense)-1:

  • The AD-1 is a long-range interceptor missile.
  • AD-1 is a unique type of interceptor with advanced technologies available with only a very few nations in the world.
  • It is designed for both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of long-range ballistic missiles as well as aircraft.
  • It is propelled by a two-stage solid motor and equipped with an indigenously-developed advanced control system, navigation, and guidance algorithm to precisely guide the vehicle to the target.

Apprehensions:

  • BMD is ineffective against Cruise missiles. Both China and Pakistan have cruise missile capable of delivering the nuclear payload.
  • No BMD can have a 100% success rate in the interception of the projectile (ballistic missile).
  • BMD is a very costly affair.
  • Even after interception there remain chances of damage, especially if the interception is done in the terminal phase of the ballistic missile.

What’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System?

  • A Ballistic Missile Defence system (BMD) is a missile defense system that acts as a shield against ballistic missile attacks.
  • You may not that the purpose is defense (by intercepting a ballistic missile) and not attack/offense.
  • A ballistic missile can be intercepted in three phases:
  • Terminal phase: During the atmospheric descent phase.
  • Mid-course interception (in-flight interception): Most preferred interception.
  • Lift-off phase: Targeting at the launch point- requires advanced radars.

Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme:

  • The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defense system to protect India from ballistic missile attacks.
  • It was launched in 2000 after Kargil War by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
  • India has an active ABM development effort using indigenously developed and integrated radars, and indigenous missiles.
  • In November 2006, India successfully conducted the PADE (Prithvi Air Defence Exercise) in which an anti-ballistic missile, called the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD), an exo-atmospheric (outside the atmosphere) interceptor system, intercepted a Prithvi-II ballistic missile.

Two- tiers of India’s BMD

Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)

Advanced Air Defense (AAD)

  • Also referred as Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor.
  • It’s designed for High altitude interception (exo-atmospheric interception).
  • Intercept missiles at altitudes between 50 – 80 km.
  • The interceptor is Prithvi Defense Vehicle (PDV) which has two-stage, both with solid propellants.
  • It is also called Ashwin Ballistic Missile Interceptor.
  • It’s an endo-atmospheric interception system (for low-altitude interception).
  • Altitude of interception is range up to 30 km.
  • It has a single-stage solid-fueled missile.

 

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