The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System, the Defence Ministry announced Wednesday. The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile was launched from Launch Complex-III at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur at 4:24 p.m. The flight test met all trial objectives, validating the complete network-centric warfare weapon system, which includes long-range sensors, a low-latency communication system, Mission Control Center (MCC), and advanced interceptor missiles, according to a statement from DRDO.
"Today, 24th July 2024, the @DRDO_India successfully flight-tested Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has congratulated DRDO for today’s successful flight test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System and stated that the test has again demonstrated our Ballistic Missiles Defence capability," read a post on the Defence Ministry's official X handle. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO on the successful flight test, reaffirming the nation’s ballistic missile defence capability.
The test demonstrated India’s indigenous capability to defend against ballistic missiles of the 5000 km class. The missile's performance was monitored using data from range tracking instruments such as electro-optical systems, radar, and telemetry stations deployed at various locations, including an on-board ship. The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile, developed indigenously, is a two-stage, solid-propelled ground-launched system designed to neutralise various enemy ballistic missile threats in the endo- to low-exo-atmospheric regions. The missile incorporates state-of-the-art technologies developed by several DRDO laboratories.