India successfully conducted the second phase of flight testing of its Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMDS) on July 24 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. This successful test showcased India’s homegrown capabilities to defend against hostile missiles with a range of 5,000 kilometers. The Defence Ministry stated that the flight test met all objectives, validating a complete network-centric warfare weapon system comprising long-range sensors, a low-latency communication system, and advanced interceptor missiles.
The ballistic missile was launched from LC-IV Dhamra at 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, simulating an adversary’s ballistic missile. This simulated missile was detected by weapon system radars deployed on land and sea, the Ministry reported. The second phase of the Advanced Defence End-atmospheric (AD Endo) missile, an indigenously developed two-stage solid propelled ground-launched missile system, was successfully flight tested. This system is designed to neutralize a variety of enemy ballistic missile threats at altitudes ranging from endo to low exo-atmospheric regions.
The Defence Ministry highlighted that the ballistic missile system incorporates several state-of-the-art indigenous technologies developed by various DRDO laboratories. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, congratulated the entire DRDO team for their dedication and contributions that culminated in the successful flight test.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for this achievement, stating that it further underscores India’s ballistic missile capability.
DRDO is actively collaborating with the private sector, MSMEs, and academia to focus on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and advanced materials. This collaboration is aimed at enhancing defence capabilities through rapid innovation and promoting ‘Atma Nirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence. The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme encourages the participation of private industries, particularly start-ups and MSMEs, creating an ecosystem designed to enhance capabilities in cutting-edge technologies and fostering ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in the defence sector.
