DRDO conducts maiden flight-test of phase-II ballistic missile defense interceptor
- Category
Science & Technology
- Published
4th Nov, 2022
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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)
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Advanced Air Defense (AAD)
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- 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.
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- 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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