• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully carried out a test of an interceptor missile, further validating the reliability of the under-development, two-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) in shooting down enemy missiles.

More Details on Ballistic Missile Defence:

• It is an endo-atmospheric missile, which can intercept missiles at ranges of 15-30 km
• It was launched from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast in response to an incoming ‘enemy’ missile which was launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.
• The missile intercepted the incoming missile at an altitude of 15 km scoring a direct hit.

Two missiles

• The BMD consists of two interceptor missiles, the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) for exo-atmospheric ranges and the Advanced Area Defence (AAD) missile for endo-atmosphere or lower altitudes.
• The BMD is critical to protect the country from the long-range ballistic missiles proliferating in the neighbourhood.
• DRDO expects to have shield ready for deployment by 2022.

Source: The Hindu