India Successfully Test-fired AAD Interceptor Missile

India on 6 March 2011 successfully test-fired sophisticated advanced air defence, AAD interceptor missile from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. AAD indigenously designed by DRDO is a single stage anti-ballistic solid propellant powered missile. The endo-atmospheric is being considered as similar to the American PAC-3 system in terms of range and altitude of interception.

The test was conducted to observe the operational effectiveness of the indigenously developed high-speed interceptor missile. The interceptor missile also destroyed Prithvi missile fired from Integrated Test Range, ITR, at Chandipore in Balasore in the Bay of Bengal.  The Prithvi missile was test-fired at 9.35 in the morning from launch complex number 3 of ITR in Chandipore and the interceptor was fired 3 minutes later at 9.38 a.m.

The success of the AAD test is likely to enhance India’s chances of joining the US, Russia and Israel in the very exclusive BMD club.  

              
India already has a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system capable of tracking and destroying hostile missiles both inside and outside the earth’s atmosphere.