India successfully test-fired new Interceptor Missile named Prithvi Defence Vehicle

India on 27 April 2014 test-fired an exo-atmospheric interceptor missile, called Prithvi Defence Vehicle with capability to neutralise any long-range missile at higher altitude. This interceptor was test-fired for the first time from launch pad-IV of Integrated Test Range at Wheeler Island, about 100 km from Balasore in Odisha into the sky to hit its target.

The exo-atmospheric interceptor missile is a part of India’s efforts to create a shield against incoming enemy missile. In the process of testing, it successfully intercepted an incoming ballistic missile a modified variant of the Prithvi fired from a ship off the coast near the integrated test range at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district, about 70 km from Wheeler Island.

Before this, the Prithvi Air Defence interceptor missile has already demonstrated its killing capability at an altitude of 50 km and 180 km. till date the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully test-fired six interceptor missiles developed by it. The previous test-fired as been tried and tested both in endo-atmosphere within 30 km altitude above sea level and exo-atmosphere stage above 30 km altitude.

Previously, the killing capability of the Prithvi Air Defence interceptor missile has already has been demonstrated at an altitude of 50 km and 80 km. On the other hand, the Advanced Air Defence interceptor missile has smashed the target missile at an altitude of 15 km to 30 km.